“‘Absolutely brilliant’… David Phillips amazed by Nottingham Forest’s £13.3m star who flies under the radar”

Nottingham Forest have showcased several standout players in the 2024/25 Premier League season.

The Reds currently sit third in the Premier League, having won five and drawn four of their ten matches. Forest’s strong start has impressed pundits, with even Gary Lineker shifting his stance on their potential. Robbie Earle now believes relegation is off the table for Forest, predicting a promising season ahead.

A key factor behind their success has been Chris Wood’s form, along with numerous standout performances across the squad. Forest’s summer recruitment has proven exceptionally effective, with these new additions delivering results on the pitch.

One of the most praised signings has been Alex Moreno. The Spaniard initially joined Aston Villa from Real Betis in 2023 for £13.3 million, after opting not to sign with Forest in 2022. While he performed well for Villa in the latter half of the 2022/23 season, a hamstring injury held him back last year. With Villa securing Champions League football, they brought in reinforcements in Moreno’s position, freeing him to join Forest.

Since his arrival, Moreno has excelled, drawing admiration from former Forest player David Phillips, who spoke highly of the left-back on the Forest Focus podcast. Phillips noted, “Moreno has come on loan from Aston Villa… In his last game against West Ham, he was superb. He played a brilliant ball for Chris Wood’s first goal and his all-around performance was absolutely superb.”

This season’s use of loan players marks a notable improvement from last year, where Forest’s loan strategy faltered, nearly costing them their place in the league. Last season’s loan signings, like Andrey Santos and Giovanni Reyna, had limited impact. Now, Forest’s two loans—Moreno and James Ward-Prowse—bring valuable Premier League experience.

Moreno, in particular, has added balance to Forest’s defense with his natural left-footed play. The hope is that Forest can negotiate a permanent deal for him, as he continues to strengthen the squad’s defensive structure.