Nottingham Forest having two nominees for the Premier League’s Player of the Season shows just how impressive this campaign has been.
Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White are certainly worthy of inclusion in the eight-man shortlist. But should the Reds have had another representative in there?
Striker Wood and playmaker Gibbs-White have both been integral figures for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. Both have more than played their part in the team challenging at the top end of the table and securing a place in Europe for next term.
Wood took his goal tally for 2024/25 to 20 when he found the back of the net in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City. He became the club’s all-time top Premier League goalscorer in December and is enjoying his best season for goals in the top flight. He has had the campaign of his life, even if he has had something of a dry spell of late.
Gibbs-White also got on the scoresheet at the weekend and set up his teammate with arguably one of the best assists of the year. He is Forest’s talisman, a leader and at the very heart of what the Reds have achieved.
But when it comes to picking out Forest’s player of the season, there are a few others in the running - and at least one of them ought to have made it to the Premier League list. Goalkeeper Matz Sels should certainly have been a nominee, and a case could be made for Nikola Milenkovic, too.
Sels is in contention for the golden glove award. Even when the Reds have not been at their best in recent weeks, he has continued to perform well and has made some terrific saves. He has been playing out of his skin.
Meanwhile, Milenkovic has been the difference-maker in defence. Solidity and resoluteness have characterised much of Forest’s campaign, and the Serbia international has been crucial to that.
Regardless of how this season ends, it has been a remarkable one at the City Ground. It seems remiss not to also single out the likes of Ola Aina, Neco Williams, Murillo and Elliot Anderson when discussing individuals who have impressed. Anthony Elanga, too, although he has been nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player award so has had some individual recognition at least.
So who should get the Manager of the Season honour? It has got to be Nuno, surely.
Arne Slot might have steered Liverpool to the title, Eddie Howe might have secured Newcastle United some silverware, Vitor Pereira (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Thomas Frank (Brentford) might have done excellent work at their respective clubs, but Nuno has completely transformed Forest’s fortunes.
To go from relegation battlers to Champions League chasers in such a short space of time is phenomenal. Even if the Reds fall just short of the top five, they have still massively exceeded expectations by qualifying for Europe in some form for the first time in three decades. Nuno has done an outstanding job.
Premier League Player of the Season nominees: Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Alexander Isak (Newcastle United), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest). Fans have until 12pm on Monday, May 19 to vote. The winner will be announced at 11am on Saturday, May 24.
Manager of the Season nominees: Nuno Espirito Santo (Nottingham Forest), Thomas Frank (Brentford), Eddie Howe (Newcastle), Vitor Pereira (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Arne Slot (Liverpool). Fans have until 12pm on Monday, May 19 to vote. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 27.
Young Player of the Season nominees: Liam Delap (Ipswich Town), Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Joao Pedro (Brighton and Hove Albion), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), William Saliba (Arsenal). Fans have until 12pm on Monday, May 19 to vote. The winner will be announced at 1pm on Saturday, May 24. For more details and to vote on the awards, click here.
Who should win the awards? Click HERE to have your say
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