Taiwo Awoniyi is already fielding concerns over his future at City Ground, having only recently returned to fitness and Nottingham Forest’s status as a surefire Premier League team for the upcoming season not nearly assured. This season, Awoniyi—the lucky charm that propelled the team to safety the previous season—has played a bit-part role due to an injury that has limited him to just five minutes of football over the past two months. Fortunately, Forest has weathered another stormy season, and they will continue to play in the top tier unless they receive a very unlikely combination of results on the last day of play.
Following that, focus will shift to Nuno Espirito Santo’s team composition and the team’s initial aim to reduce size, since Forest was left bloated by their transfer trolley dash. It’s unclear if Awoniyi is even on the list of people who could leave. That didn’t stop him from being questioned about his situation following Saturday’s loss to Chelsea; the interview was captured on camera and was made available online.When asked if he will still play for Forest the following season, the 26-year-old said yes.
“That’s a tough one; for me, I am definitely here because I am still under contract at Nottingham Forest,” he retorted. I play for Nottingham Forest at the moment.In the season’s last match, the striker expressed greater confidence in the Reds’ ability to stave off an unexpected comeback from Luton Town, saying, “I think for us, we’ll be there.” Winning this game is more crucial than whether or not we make it to the Premier League next season.
For Awoniyi, that away game against Burnley is crucial for the Reds to win; but, even a loss would need a 12-goal swing in goal differential for the unimaginable to occur. The contract that Awoniyi signed when he relocated to Forest from Union Berlin in June 2022 is still in effect for three more years. In 52 games, he has 17 goals scored.