Nottingham Forest definitely need better strength in depth next season, with the UEFA Conference League on the menu for the Reds.
Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping to make a genuine fist of winning the recently formed competition, and in order to do that, he needs to have a squad that is brimming with more quality.
Forest are closing in on three Botafogo star men. It was claimed over the weekend that the trio will check in after the Club World Cup, when the reigning Brazilian champions will be hoping to taste glory.
On the back of the latest signing update, Neco Williams might be slightly concerned at who Forest are set to sign, despite his impressive season playing as a left-sided full-back in the team.
Photo by DANIEL RAMALHO/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by DANIEL RAMALHO/AFP via Getty Images
Cuiabano could sideline Neco Williams next season
The highly-rated left-back looks to be on his way to Forest after being linked with a move to Brighton last month, and the talented performer might put the pressure on Williams at left-back.
That shouldn’t be a slight on Williams either. The Welshman was outstanding last season, improving significantly on the 2023/24 campaign when he was operating more often than not as a right-sided full-back.
Forest had Ola Aina operating on the right last season, with Williams managing to hold down the place on the other side of the pitch with Alex Moreno and Harry Toffolo providing backup.
Next season, the backup will be in short supply at full-back for Forest. Toffolo will likely be released at the end of his contract, whilst Moreno has already announced that his time at the City Ground won’t be extended into next season.
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Cuiabano came through the youth system at Gremio before moving to Botafogo. He’s made 51 appearances for the club in total, with two goals and three assists coming from left-back so far this season.
Espirito Santo will find a way to keep Cuiabano and Williams happy
Provided Forest come through a two-legged play-off to make the group stage of the UEFA Conference League, six extra games will be on the horizon in that competition for certain.
Should the Reds get through to that stage of the tournament, it will throw up a chance for rotation to take place within the squad, and full-back should be an area where swapping players is necessary.
Forest ran out of steam during last season and that was down to a lack of depth within the squad. Signing Cuiabano will definitely enhance the left-back spot and that bodes well with the Reds participating in four competitions next season.
Williams is young and after the season he’s just had, he will be firmly up for the challenge of continuing in the team even when Cuiabano checks in on Trentside.