Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche has clarified that midfielder Douglas Luiz was omitted from the squad for the Reds’ vital 2-0 victory over Brentford due to a sudden illness.
The Brazilian international, currently on loan from Juventus, had been a part of the starting lineup during the club’s midweek trip to Portugal, where they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Braga in Europa League action. However, he was a high-profile absentee at the Gtech Community Stadium as Forest secured a massive three points to distance themselves from the Premier League relegation zone.
Managing a Flu Outbreak
With the January transfer window entering its final stages, Luiz’s absence sparked immediate speculation, but Dyche was quick to provide a medical explanation for the 27-year-old’s disappearance from the team sheet.
”He’s ill. He’s got what’s going around—the flu sort of situation,” Dyche explained following the away win. The manager noted that Luiz had consulted with the club’s medical staff upon arrival. Given the team’s current struggle with a lengthy injury list, the decision was made to isolate him immediately.
Dyche emphasized the risks of keeping an ill player in close quarters, stating, “We said we had to get him out of the camp… when you are travelling on planes and all the rest of it, it spreads like wildfire. Hopefully he will recover quickly.”
Transfer Speculation and the “Obligation” Clause
Despite the illness, Luiz’s long-term future at the City Ground remains a subject of intense debate. Reports suggest that Chelsea is interested in the midfielder, which could lead to his stint with Forest being cut short before the window closes in a week’s time.
The situation is further complicated by the specifics of his loan agreement. While Luiz is technically signed for the full season, the deal reportedly contains a conditional obligation to buy. If the midfielder reaches 15 Premier League appearances of at least 45 minutes each, Forest would be required to pay £22 million to sign him permanently. When pressed on whether he anticipates Luiz remaining a Forest player for the remainder of the season, Dyche remained guarded, simply replying, “We’ll see.”
Improving Resilience on the Pitch
While the off-field drama surrounding Luiz continues, the team delivered a professional performance on the pitch. Goals from Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi secured the win, leaving Nottingham Forest five points clear of the bottom three.
Dyche expressed his satisfaction with the squad’s tactical evolution and defensive stability:
- Tactical Discipline: Dyche praised the team’s ability to dominate the first half and manage the game defensively in the second.
- Standout Performers: Goalkeeper Matz Sels and center-back Nikola Milenkovic were singled out for their leadership and resilience.
- Momentum: The Reds have now picked up seven points from their last three games, including two away wins and a draw against the current league leaders.
