Nikola Milenkovic has been a hit at Nottingham Forest, but even Nuno Espirito Santo couldn’t have expected the impact he’s had on his squad.
The Serbian arrived at the City Ground in the summer and immediately looked like the perfect partner for Murillo, given his commanding height and physical ability.
Evangelos Marinakis has been particularly impressed by Milenkovic as Forest’s defence has been a key contributing factor to the Champions League push, most recently seen in Milenkovic’s star performance against Ipswich Town.
The 27-year-old almost optimises the shocking nature of Forest’s rise as Milenkovic reportedly cost Forest just £10m, a fee that looks ridiculously cheap now considering his impact.
Those in the know may have expected Milenkovic to hit the ground running in England but a particular aspect of the Serbian’s form has shocked his national team manager, Dragan Stojkovic.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Dragan Stojkovic cannot believe Nikola Milenkovic’s goalscoring exploits at Nottingham Forest
Such as his impact, academy gem Zach Abbott has been learning from Milenkovic in training as the centre-back’s influence carries off the pitch as well.
However, his four Premier League goals have been an unexpected bonus for the Forest squad, something that Stojkovic will hope to translate to the Serbian national team.
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Speaking to Mondo about Milenkovic’s form in front of goal, Stojkovic said: “I didn’t know that this Milenkovic scores goals, you see, I didn’t have that perception when it came to him. I thought he could only defend.
“I see him scoring goals in England, well, he could score here too sometimes. Although he scored one, he scored with his head in Belgrade. Scored three? Well, well, well, good for him!
“I’m glad he’s playing well […], that he’s acting really powerful for Nottingham Forest. That’s good news for us in any case.”
So impressive is his goalscoring form, Milenkovic is competing with the best the Premier League has to offer in the defender’s goalscoring charts.
Nikola Milenkovic is one of the Premier League’s top-scoring defenders
Don Hutchinson named Milenkovic the signing of the season back in November and with six Premier League goal involvements, it’s clear to see why.
Player Goals
Josko Gvardiol 5
Nikola Milenkovic 4
Gabriel Magalhaes 3
Marc Guehi 3
Trevor Chalobah 3
The top-scoring Premier League defenders this season
Only Josko Gvardiol has scored more than Milenkovic this season, but his license to maraud forward from left back makes it a much easier task for him.
Therefore, in terms of centre-backs, Milenkovic is the leading scorer, even ahead of Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal who is famed for his goalscoring capabilities.
Milenkovic and Murillo have been compared to Arsenal’s defenders this campaign but with the addition of the Serbian’s attacking output, there is an argument that Espirito Santo’s remarkable pair are the premier duo in the league.