Nottingham Forest struggled defensively last season in the Premier League, conceding 67 goals, the fifth-highest in the division. Despite improving slightly from the previous campaign where they conceded 68 goals, their defensive record still lagged behind. This was attributed to the constant changes in the starting lineup, with the team making 28 signings in the past two seasons, making it challenging to establish a consistent back four.
Matz Sels, the number one goalkeeper for Forest, had a mixed performance last season, making 16 appearances and conceding 27 goals. Compared to the legendary Brice Samba, who was signed for €2.10m, Sels struggled to fill the shoes of the former fan favorite.
Samba, who made 133 appearances for Forest, was a hero for the team during crucial moments, making crucial saves in the Championship play-offs. Since leaving Forest for Lens in 2022, Samba has continued to excel, keeping 32 clean sheets and earning a place in the Yashin Trophy award nominations.
Sels, on the other hand, has faced criticism for his performance compared to Samba, with the metrics showing a significant difference in their shot-stopping ability. Forest could have saved time and money if they had retained Samba, who has proven to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
