Nottingham Forest 2022/23: Players to watch ahead of new Premier League season

Nottingham Forest will be playing in the Premier League for the first time in the 2000s after securing promotion in the final of the Championship playoff.

They beat Huddersfield Town AFC thanks to an own goal from Levi Colwill to return to English football’s top flight for the first time since the 1998/99 season, 23 years ago.

Their Championship season was one of the fairytale stories of football last season. After spending the first three months of last season in relegation, they fired their manager and hired Steve Cooper who brought them from the brink of death onto the playoff places.

Asides the manager’s efforts, he had a few very efficient players to rely on. These players are expected to continue their fine form in the Premier League.

Here are the players to watch out for from Nottingham Forest in the 2022/23 Premier League

Brennan Johnson

The 21-year-old Brennan Johnson is one of the many born and bred Nottingham Forest boys in the side. Nine years in the club’s academy culminated in a promotion to the senior team, where he was first sent on loan to League One side Lincoln City where he showed he was ready for the Championship.

He played every single Forest game in the 2021/22 Championship season, scoring 18 goals and providing 10 assists as they rose from the bottom of the pile to get Premier League promotion.

He is already a full international with the Wales national team thanks to his undeniable talent and he is sure to give a good account of himself in the Premier League next season.

Brice Samba

The goalkeeper from the Democratic Republic of Congo has been one of the club’s standout players as well. After Cooper took over the club in late December, Samba became one of the most improved players, letting in only 31 goals in the 40 games he played.

He also proved his worth in penalty situations which is a big weapon for any goalkeeper to have in their Arsenal. He will surely be facing off against the best players in the world next season but he is expected to be one of the reasons Forest will do well.

Sam Surridge

Sam Surridge is one of the squad players in the side and is the type of player who managers consider when deciding on tactics against their opponents, knowing he may not start and will instead be brought into the game to switch things up for his side.

He excellently deputised for the club’s main strikers during their injuries, scoring five in five as they ran up to the playoff spot. The 23-year-old is also a versatile forward who can provide Cooper with a lot of other options as they face some of the heavy hitters next season.

Joe Worrall

Nottingham Forest’s no-nonsense captain is a force of nature at only 25-years-old. A Forest boy through and through, he is expected to lead his team onto the various Premier League pitches next season

He is also expected to be the loudest as he is constantly barking out orders and calling his team to order. This has helped him intimidate and throw opponents off their game. It will be a sight to witness as he faces the likes of Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son while in defence for Nottingham Forest.