Nottingham Forest light at centre-back after transfer gamble

Nottingham Forest prioritised quality over quantity this summer, but deadline-day loans have left centre-back cover thin.

Nottingham Post notes five additions, Xaver Schlager, Ousmane Diomande, Steven Benda, Liam Delap and Daniel Munoz. Oliver Glasner knows Schlager and Munoz well and had tracked Diomande and Delap, while Forest also tried late for midfielders Harrison Armstrong and Trey Nyoni.

Diomande is seen as a key piece with the potential to partner Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo in Glasner’s back three. With Zach Abbott and Morato out on loan, Jair Cunha is the only other natural centre-back.

It is a risk, eased by no European football and Glasner’s preference for a smaller squad. Forest have 16 Premier League matches before January, starting with Tottenham Hotspur at home on Saturday, three pm kick-off.

Cunha, 21, started the first two league games and played left when Diomande began the Carabao Cup tie at Leeds.

Ola Aina may face pressure from Munoz at right wing-back, though Aina and Neco Williams impressed at Anfield last weekend. Aina can also drop into the back line, and at 29 has the experience to adapt.

Nicolo Savona can cover centrally on either side, but he has only 11 Premier League starts since joining from Juventus a year ago and remains out with a knee issue.

In an emergency, captain Ryan Yates has filled in at centre-back, although it would be a stop-gap. Glasner is not wedded to one shape and could switch to a back four if injuries or suspensions bite.

Source: Nottingham Post

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