Six Nottingham Forest players with a point to prove in pre-season as transfer calls loom
Nottingham Forest Prepare for Crucial Pre-Season as Players Aim to Impress Nuno Espirito Santo
Nottingham Forest’s preparations for the 2025/26 campaign are about to kick into high gear, with players due to report back to training next week. The squad will reconvene at the Nigel Doughty Academy on Monday, officially marking the start of a pivotal pre-season under head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
With their return to European football now confirmed — the first time the club has qualified for continental competition in nearly 30 years — expectations around the City Ground have risen. Forest fans are dreaming of progress both at home and abroad, and that all starts with a strong pre-season.
The next few weeks will serve as a vital opportunity for many players to prove their worth and stake a claim for a place in Nuno’s plans. For some, this will be their first time training under the Portuguese boss, having spent last season out on loan. For others, it’s a second chance to make an impression after struggling to break into the starting XI during the previous campaign.
Indeed, performances in pre-season could very well influence the club’s transfer business. A number of players may find themselves facing loan exits or even permanent departures depending on how they fare over the coming weeks. With that in mind, this pre-season could shape careers and futures.
Here’s a closer look at several Nottingham Forest players who head into this summer with a point to prove:
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Carlos Miguel
The Brazilian goalkeeper endured a somewhat turbulent debut season at the City Ground. After being handed his first appearance in the Carabao Cup against Newcastle United last August, Carlos Miguel looked like he might play a role as a cup specialist.
However, inconsistent performances in subsequent games cast doubt on his reliability between the sticks. Nuno initially suggested that Miguel would serve as his primary choice in domestic cup competitions, but by the time the FA Cup’s latter stages arrived, Matz Sels had reclaimed the gloves.
With Forest potentially exploring options to bolster their goalkeeping department this summer, Miguel faces a real battle to even hold onto his backup role. The pre-season period will be crucial in determining whether he remains part of the setup or is moved on.
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Omar Richards
Richards’ time at Forest has been heavily disrupted by injury. Since his arrival at the club three years ago, the left-back is yet to make a single competitive appearance in the Garibaldi. However, there is a sense that this could finally be the summer he turns a corner.
Loan spells at Olympiacos and Rio Ave offered the former Bayern Munich man a chance to regain fitness and build confidence, and the hope is that his injury woes are now behind him. With a full pre-season under his belt, Richards will aim to prove he can compete at Premier League level.
For a player once viewed as a long-term solution on the left side of defence, this is a make-or-break summer.
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Tyler Bindon
One of Forest’s most exciting young prospects, Bindon is yet to fully introduce himself to supporters. The 20-year-old centre-back signed in January before being loaned back to Reading to finish the season, and now returns to join the senior setup.
The New Zealand international is widely regarded as a future star, and he’ll be keen to demonstrate why during pre-season. Although still relatively raw, Bindon’s composure and athleticism have drawn praise — and now he’ll have the chance to catch Nuno’s eye in training.
Forest must soon decide whether he is ready to remain as part of the first-team squad or if another loan is needed to aid his development.
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Ibrahim Sangaré
After a patchy start to life in England, Sangaré finished last season strongly, emerging as one of Forest’s most dependable midfielders during a tense run-in. Signed with high expectations from PSV Eindhoven, the Ivorian finally began to show why the club invested heavily in his services.
As Forest prepares for a demanding campaign, Sangaré will be determined to maintain his place in the starting XI and build on that late-season form. With new signings expected in midfield, competition for places will be fierce — and he’ll need to keep proving he can deliver consistency at the top level.
Sangaré’s pre-season performances could determine whether he remains a cornerstone of Nuno’s tactical setup.
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Marko Stamenic
Another New Zealand international, Stamenic is returning to Forest after a season-long loan with Olympiacos, where he gained valuable experience. The 23-year-old midfielder has yet to play under Nuno and will be eager to make a strong first impression.
Unlike Sangaré, who has already shown he can compete at Premier League level, Stamenic is still somewhat of an unknown quantity. His time in Greece offered glimpses of promise, but he now faces the challenge of translating that form into a competitive environment in England.
Whether he becomes part of Forest’s midfield rotation or heads out on another loan remains to be seen, but the coming weeks could be decisive.
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Jota Silva
The winger’s future at the City Ground remains uncertain. Jota Silva found game time hard to come by last season and has been the subject of transfer speculation already this summer. Although rumours of a move to Turkey have been dismissed by those close to the player, Sporting Lisbon have now emerged as potential suitors.
With Forest reportedly looking to reinforce their options out wide, Silva’s role may be further diminished unless he can showcase his talent during pre-season. Regardless of whether he stays or departs before the window shuts, Jota will want to impress — not just to win over Nuno, but to show potential suitors what he can offer.
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Looking Ahead
As the countdown to the 2025/26 campaign continues, this pre-season will be about more than fitness drills and tactical preparations. For many in the Nottingham Forest squad, it represents a pivotal audition — a chance to convince the manager they deserve a place in the team, or at least a place at the club.
With European competition adding to the club’s calendar, the need for squad depth is clear. But only those who prove their value this summer will be trusted when the real business begins. The pressure is on — and the race for places is well and truly underway.