Nikola Milenkovic has been rock solid at the back for Nottingham Forest during the 2024/25 campaign.
Given that the Reds are third in the Premier League table it would be hard to give the credit solely to one person – but with Milenkovic, it’s tricky not to.
The squad is largely the same from last season, with Milenkovic and Elliot Anderson the two summer additions who have become regular players in the meteoric rise.
Milenkovic has ensured that Forest have vastly improved when it comes to defending and in particular, from set pieces – something that proved seriously bad during last season.
Milenkovic will naturally attract comparisons with Nemanja Vidic who served Manchester United and Serbia with distinction before Milenkovic came on the scene.
Now, ahead of tonight’s game against Manchester United, the former Old Trafford star has been quizzed on the form of Milenkovic for Forest.
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Nemanja Vidic sends message to Nikola Milenkovic
At 27, Milenkovic was signed by Forest in his prime.
As a result, he’s going to go down as one of the shrewdest pieces of business the club has done for many years and his maiden campaign could prove seriously special.
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Ahead of the game at the City Ground this evening, Vidic has sent a message to Milenkovic via BBC Sport.
He said: “He is a great representative for Serbian football. He is a great example of how players should behave and work hard to try and succeed and maintain their careers.
“He likes to defend and has improved a lot in terms of the tactical side because he played in Italy.
“It is not fair to compare (with me). He has his own abilities and has a good career. He is 27 and for a defender, that is still young.
“It’s good to say ‘when I was young, Vidic was the target I wanted to aim for’. But players should push themselves to go even higher than their idols and the people they’re being compared to.
“He is 27. I came to England when I was 24 or 25. he has much more to give.”
Nikola Milenkovic stats 2024/25
The captain of Serbia has taken Forest by storm.
He’s helped the team establish as a serious Premier League club and the threat of relegation has been swapped for a title at Champions League qualification.
Nikola Milenkovic stats – Premier League 2024/25 Total
Appearances 28
Clearances 140
Blocks 21
Aerials Won 78
Who Scored Rating 6.94
Milenkovic hasn’t completed the overhaul on his own but his arrival has coincided with the team looking far better defensively.
At just £12 million that Forest paid, Milenkovic looks like a steal and if the team does qualify for the Champions League, he will be a huge player next season too.