“From FLOP to World-Class”- Nottingham Forest loan flop is now “world-class” & worth £50m after leaving

“From FLOP to World-Class”- Nottingham Forest loan flop is now “world-class” & worth £50m after leaving

Nottingham Forest have made remarkable progress under Nuno Espírito Santo in just a few months, achieving the unexpected so far this season. The Reds currently sit in fifth place with a record of five wins, four draws, and two losses, accumulating 19 points and ahead of clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

As a result of their impressive performances, striker Chris Wood was named the Premier League’s Player of the Month for October, while Nuno was awarded Manager of the Month after guiding the team through an unbeaten run. The key difference between this season and the last is the vast improvement in Forest’s defense, having conceded just 10 goals in their first 11 matches—fewer than all but Arsenal.

The partnership of Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo has been crucial to the turnaround, with the duo forming a solid central defensive pairing. Their combined £27 million price tag now looks like a bargain, especially compared to the defensive struggles of previous seasons.

Forest’s Defensive Woes in 2022/23

Following their promotion, it was essential for the club to invest in the squad to help then-manager Steve Cooper secure Premier League survival in Forest’s first season back in the top flight in over two decades. Over £150 million was spent to improve the squad, with players like Taiwo Awoniyi and Morgan Gibbs-White remaining key figures. However, the defense remained a major concern, with Scott McKenna, Joe Worrall, and Steve Cook being the primary options at the back.

While these defenders had contributed to the promotion-winning campaign, it became clear they were not up to the required standard for Premier League survival. In the early stages of the season, Forest conceded six goals against Manchester City and five against Arsenal, looking vulnerable in their battle to stay up.

In January, Felipe joined from Atlético Madrid, and his arrival transformed the defense, helping Cooper’s side secure key results, including a 1-0 win over Arsenal at home. Despite finishing the season with a total of 68 goals conceded, Forest managed to stay up, and Nuno has now built on those foundations.

A Missed Opportunity: Loïc Badi

However, things could have been very different if Cooper had utilized one particular player who arrived with high expectations but was never given the chance to show his potential.

Loïc Bade, a centre-back signed on loan from Rennes with an option to buy, was expected to add much-needed quality to the defense. Unfortunately, his time at Forest was a disaster—he never played a match for the club and was recalled by Rennes before being sent to Sevilla for the rest of the season.

Since leaving Forest, the 24-year-old has gone on to make a significant impact at Sevilla, winning the Europa League in his first season. Bade has also become a regular in the French U23 team, playing in the 2024 Olympic Games, where France finished as runners-up to Spain.

Dubbed “world-class” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Bade has made 69 appearances for Sevilla and has attracted interest from top clubs like Liverpool, who are reportedly willing to negotiate a deal despite his £50 million release clause.

Forest’s Missed Chance

Forest have generally been shrewd in the transfer market, with their current centre-back partnership of Murillo and Milenkovic proving to be an excellent piece of business. However, they could have had another elite-level defender in Bade, which might have further bolstered their ambitions of a top-half finish this season, while also providing a potential financial windfall from a future sale. It’s a missed opportunity that could have had a significant impact on both the club’s success and its long-term financial standing.