Nuno Espirito Santo – CaughtOffside

Surprise Chelsea interest in 22-year-old Brazilian talent

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 07:01:02 +0000

Now that the summer transfer window has opened for business, we can be assured that Chelsea will feature heavily.

The Blues have taken the box seat in both of the last two summer windows, blowing their domestic and European rivals out of the water with some epic deals.

Notwithstanding that Todd Boehly and his board appear to have been getting creative with the club’s accounts, they’ve still managed to land the vast majority of targets that they’ve gone for.

Chelsea tracking Murillo

The only real issue for the owner is that on the pitch, at least to this point, Chelsea have been far from the team that the American will have envisaged, given the amount of money that has been spent already under his tenure.

Tosin Adarabioyo has already arrived from West London neighbours, Fulham, this summer, along with Marc Guiu from Barcelona, Omari Kellyman from Aston Villa and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester, per transfermarkt.

According to football.london, the club have also made their interest in Nottingham Forest’s 22-year-old Brazilian, Murillo, known.

Murillo is a potential target for Chelsea

Although his reported £60m sale price is being considered too expensive at this point by the Stamford Bridge outfit, the fact that the club appear to be chasing another centre-back hints at the notion that, perhaps, Trevoh Chalobah or another defender could shortly be on their way.

Murillo himself acknowledged that he may be on the move from the City Ground before the start of the 2024/25 campaign, though Chelsea strangely weren’t mentioned as a potential destination.

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“We don’t know anything for certain, the window opened last month so I’m going to return to Nottingham Forest for pre-season. There might be some discussions on whether I’ll stay or not so there’s a lot of things to happen still but I’m relaxed,” he told the Benja Me Mucho podcast.

“I’d choose Manchester City but it would be more difficult for me to be a regular starter given the players they have in their squad. There’s City, Arsenal as well, who are fighting for the Premier League title.

“I wouldn’t discard Liverpool either, it would be a good opportunity for me to show my football in a big club.”

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Brilliant Nottingham Forest ace could swap the City Ground for St. James’ Park this summer

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 04:38:10 +0000

The forthcoming season is a vitally important one for both Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United, but for differing reasons.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side managed to escape relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, ending the campaign on 32 points and just one place above the bottom three.

In a sign of the direction that English football is heading, the three clubs that went down – Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United – were the three clubs that had come up 12 months previously.

Newcastle looking at Forest’s Antony Elanga

If Forest don’t want to become another ‘yo yo’ club, then they’ll need to significantly up their game in 2024/25, and they’ll be better placed to do that if they’e able to keep hold of such talents as Anthony Elanga.

Unfortunately, according to TeamTalk, Newcastle are targeting the star to replace the outgoing Miggy Almiron.

Although Elanga is still learning his craft and as such is a little ‘raw,’ his natural pace and eye for goal would make him an asset for the Magpies, particularly given that Eddie Howe likes to have his wide men on the front foot in games.

It isn’t clear at this point whether Forest would accede to any transfer though, given how hard Elanga has worked for them since his move from Man United.

At just 22 years of age, the Swedish international would surely be able to command a significant fee from interested parties, and that could be something to sway the Forest hierarchy given that they could invest the monies into other areas of the squad.

The last thing that anyone connected with the club is likely to want is another relegation battle during the 2024/25 season.

It remains to be seen whether Newcastle firm up any interest in the first instance, and if so, whether their offer is enough to tempt Forest into selling.

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Collymore: “Mercenary and irrelevant” – Players slammed for heading to “gimmick” Saudi Pro League

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 31 May 2024 10:30:00 +0000

As the summer transfer window comes up over the horizon, it’s a safe enough bet that the Saudi Pro League will be major players in the marketplace.

Buy Last Minute Tickets to the UEFA Champions League Final!

Five years ago, the emerging league wouldn’t have concerned any European clubs or their players, but the sheer amount of money that they have available to throw at the very best players that the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue Un, Serie A and the Bundesliga have to offer means that everyone will sit up and take notice.

Despite some big names having moved to the Middle East, most notably Cristiano Ronaldo, the league is still taking time to get a real foothold.

Stan Collymore doesn’t believe the Saudi Pro League will ever be relevant

With one eye on the 2030 World Cup, there’s a clear move from the Gulf state to get all eyes on the Pro League, but that will require more high profile players to drop what they’re doing in Europe and move to a much less competitive environment.

CaughtOffside columnist, Stan Collymore, just doesn’t see it happening.

“I’m 50 and I can’t ever see in my lifetime that the Saudi Pro League will be thought of as a top five global league and the reasons are really quite simple. England, Spain, Italy, France, Germany… 100 plus year-old leagues, legacy leagues that really mean something,” he said for his exclusive column.

“Secondly, all those leagues are very rich in their own right. Companies aren’t bailing on the Premier League or La Liga to go and sponsor the Saudi League, which will be propped up by Saudi money from Saudi companies.

“And thirdly, dare I say the culture that you’ve seen. Muslim players go out there because obviously it’s something they know, but you’ve also seen players that go out there, dip their toe in and are back in no time at all. Likewise, managers. Nuno Espirito Santo, Jordan Henderson…. So for me, I just think it’s going to continue being a gimmick.

Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s praise, Stan Collymore says the Saudi Pro League is a gimmick

“Boxing will be there for the next 20 years, but people aren’t going to go there and watch boxing in the same way that they would if they were at Madison Square Garden or some of the great venues.

“The Saudi’s will continue to build it up, but I just think it’s all about location and the cultural aspect. They will always get tournaments – like Qatar had the World Cup and Dubai gets the tennis – but people still want to go to Wimbledon, people still want to go to an Olympics in Paris, people still want to go to Wembley Stadium for that football experience or to watch Madrid in the Bernabeu.

“It’s like the MLS was and like the A League in Australia was for two or three years, and it’s a bit of a top up for the pension.

“No disrespect to Cristiano Ronaldo, whose 35 goals is a remarkable achievement even if he was doing that at his age in Sunday league football, but I can’t cannot see a time where European footballers head to Saudi Arabia to give the best years of their life.

“Kylian Mbappe was effectively offered billions to go and he didn’t choose it because he knew that he could get paid very handsomely in Europe and be relevant.

“When you go to Saudi you’re seen as two things; a mercenary and irrelevant.”

Strong words from the former Premier League ace, though it would be hard to disagree with any aspect of his argument.

Clearly, the money is an attraction, however, players can earn more than they’ll ever spend by staying in Europe and playing for some of the most historic and storied clubs on the planet.

No one is really going to talk about a player in future in worshipful tones if he spent the majority of his career in Saudi Arabia, with the greatest of respect.

Cristiano Ronaldo might continue to sing its praises, but that’s only because no clubs in Europe wanted him, and for the amount of money he’s being paid, he can’t really say much else can he.

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Video: Callum Hudson-Odoi brilliantly fires Forest ahead against former side Chelsea

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 11 May 2024 18:26:23 +0000

With the game between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea deadlocked at one apiece, it took something special from Callum Hudson-Odoi to lift the roof off the City Ground.

Receiving the ball from Morgan Gibbs-White, the former Chelsea man moved inside with intent and unleashed an unstoppable curling effort.

It was a goal from the moment that it left his foot and one of those passages of play where you know exactly what the player is going to do but aren’t able to stop him.

Callum Hudson-Odoi against his former club!

What a finish! ?? pic.twitter.com/nvKcqzdSsc

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 11, 2024

CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI STRIKES AGAINST HIS FORMER CLUB! pic.twitter.com/TNOmb7KJq5

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 11, 2024

Callum Hudson-Odoi SCORES!!

? 2-1 Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea FC

WATCH EVERY GOAL ? https://t.co/2w98QqADfX #PL #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/5DjhjNGUfM

— FuboCanada ?? (@fuboTVCanada) May 11, 2024

Pictures from Sky Sports, NBC Sports Soccer and fuboTV

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Video: Willy Boly’s towering header gives Forest equaliser against Chelsea

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 11 May 2024 17:06:02 +0000

Nottingham Forest were quickly back on level terms against Chelsea after Willy Boly rose highest at the far post to power home a free-kick.

The Blues marking was non-existent and that will surely have infuriated Mauricio Pochettino, who had watched his side take the game to their opponents from the opening whistle.

Although there was a VAR check for a potential offside, prompting boos from all sides of the City Ground, the goal stood and allowed the Forest faithful to celebrate all over again.

"All to easy for Nottingham Forest!" ?

Boly gets a free header and makes no mistakes! ? pic.twitter.com/Rp0h2YgBjK

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 11, 2024

Nottingham Forest level it right back up thanks to Willy Boly's header! ? pic.twitter.com/bZR1MXwsqJ

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 11, 2024

??| GOAL: WILLY BOLY WITH THE EQUALISER!!

Nottingham 1-1 Chelsea

pic.twitter.com/rNsViTuSl4

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) May 11, 2024

Pictures from Sky Sports, NBC Sports Soccer and beIN Sports

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Exceptional Premier League ace will command huge fee as Chelsea circle

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 07:38:00 +0000

This summer could be another busy one for Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea, with Todd Boehly potentially authorising a number of outgoings in order for the Blues to comply with Financial Fair Play.

Those gaps in the squad will have to be filled of course, and whether Pochettino is given a stay of execution or not, whomever is in the dugout will need to ensure that any replacements are up to the high standards that Chelsea demand.

It’s fair to suggest that many of Poch’s signings have fallen woefully short in that regard, so the Argentinian will be under more pressure to get things right in the transfer market if he still holds the managerial reins after the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Chelsea looking at Murillo

That could all depend on whether Chelsea win the FA Cup and manage to earn a spot in next season’s Europa League, as a lack of continental football will also certainly spell the end at Stamford Bridge for the current incumbent.

Whether or not he’s on the bench, it appears to be a foregone conclusion that the club will go after Nottingham Forest’s brilliant centre-back, Murillo.

Chelsea want Murillo

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Midlands-based side will command a huge fee for the player, who is also being tracked by Liverpool, Man United and Paris Saint-Germain.

Given that Chelsea have often looked shaky in defence during their 2023/24 Premier League campaign, acquiring another defender wouldn’t necessarily be the worst move in the world.

With Forest floundering all season despite a change of manager, Murillo’s sale would help the club to bring in reinforcements in other areas.

Whether letting him go would be a case of two steps forward and one back for the club would only be understood in the wake of any sale.

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“Need the best version” – Nuno wants Liverpool old boy to haunt Reds

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 11:59:40 +0000

Saturday afternoon sees table-topping Liverpool travel to the City Ground and a date with Nottingham Forest.

A win would keep Jurgen Klopp’s side top of the table regardless of what Man City did in the derby on Sunday, and would keep their Premier League title hopes alive.

From Nuno Espirito Santo’s point of view, Forest need the points to keep their heads above water in the race to avoid relegation.

At present, the Midlands-based side are just four points ahead of Luton Town who are third from bottom.

Divock Origi could put a dent in former club Liverpool’s title hopes

One player with a vested interest in the game is Forest striker, Divock Origi, a player that was always second fiddle at Anfield and yet came up with two of the most important goals in Klopp’s tenure – the winner against Barcelona in an incredible Champions League semi-final comeback, and then a late second in the 2019 final against Tottenham.

His career at Forest has been a little stop-start, though he’s come into form at just the right time, and Nuno wants him to put a dent in his former club’s title hopes.

Divock Origi will play against former club Liverpool for Nottingham Forest

“I still haven’t decided who is going to play but I can tell you Divock is improving,” he was quoted as saying by Nottinghamshire Live.

“He has been in and out, some small issues which has been delaying his progress. But in the first half (against Manchester United) he was amazing and for us, he is a solution because he can play right, left side and in the centre.

“So we need the best version of Divock.”

It’s sure to be a bittersweet moment for the Belgian if he were to score a goal to stop the Reds juggernaut in its tracks, however, his allegiance shouldn’t even be questioned at this point given that he left the club back in 2022.

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Everton & Nottingham Forest both look set for further Premier League punishments over FFP rule breaches

Magnus Eriksen — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 10:40:19 +0000

Everton and Nottingham Forest both reportedly look likely to face further action on alleged breaches of the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play laws.

The Toffees have already been hit with a deduction of ten points this season, and it seems Sean Dyche’s side can expect further punishment imminently, while Forest also expect to be hit with something similar.

Everton and Forest could both face charges of losing too much money over a three-year period, though they are expected to contest any potential sanctions coming their way.

Leicester City hopeful of landing versatile Nottingham Forest player

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 12:47:16 +0000

With almost a month left until the closure of the January transfer window, Championship leaders Leicester City are looking to make some diligent signings to help get the club over the line for automatic promotion to the Premier League.

The Foxes have been the stand out team in the English second-tier this season and only a freak set of extended results would stop them from going straight back up to the top flight.

Given their dominance in the division – they’re currently 10 points ahead of second-place Ipswich Town – any players that Enzo Maresca wants to sign have to be better than who he currently has in situ, rather than padding out the squad.

To that end, The Athletic (subscription required) are reporting that Leicester have been keeping tabs on versatile Forest ace, Joe Worrall.

West Ham are also credited with an interest in a player that has been a stalwart for the City Ground outfit but whose days there appear numbered.

New manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, will have his own ideas about how he wants things to work and though it isn’t clear if Worrall is part of those plans, cashing in on one or two stars now may give him some headroom in the club’s finances to be able to shuffle the pack a little.

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Nottingham Forest to splash cash in January to back new boss

Jake Staniland — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 22:34:00 +0000

With newly-appointed Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo set to lose six key players to the African Cup of Nations, the club is now faced with the necessity of delving back into the transfer market for reinforcements.

Despite having signed an impressive 42 players since securing promotion from the Championship in 2022, the upcoming player departures have created a demand for additional squad depth at the club.

Serge Aurier, Willy Boly, and Ibrahim Sangare are set to join the Ivory Coast national team. Cheikhou Kouyate and Moussa Niakhate have been called up by Senegal, and Ola Aina is poised to represent Nigeria. However, talismanic forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who would have been a contender for the Super Eagles, will remain sidelined for several months after undergoing groin surgery in November.

The departures of these key players for the African Cup of Nations necessitate the consideration of reinforcements for the squad.

Nottingham Forest’s transfer funds are set to receive a boost with the £4.3 million sale of Gustavo Scarpa, who is returning to Brazil with Atletico Mineiro. Scarpa, who initially joined on a free transfer from Palmeiras in December 2022, spent the current season on loan with Olympiacos in Greece.

In terms of new recruits, Forest are anticipated to finalisa deal for Fluminense centre-back Nino, per The Mirror. The 26-year-old Brazilian defender has been the subject of extensive talks and is expected to cost around £6 million. This potential transfer would add defensive reinforcement to the Tricky Trees squad.

Additionally, there are reports which state Forest are in advanced negotiations for the signing of Portuguese winger Gelson Martins from Monaco. The player, in the final year of his contract with the Ligue 1 club, could be available for a reasonable fee or potentially on a free transfer. Forest’s pursuit of Martins suggests a strategic move to bolster their attacking options with a player who has experience in top-flight European football.

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