Nuno already has ‘impressive’ solution to fill Nottingham Forest void as key decision looms
Nottingham Forest summer signing is pushing for a Premier League starting spot for Nuno Espirito Santo’s Reds
Jota Silva has been backed to establish himself as a regular starter for Nottingham Forest when he eventually gets his chance in the first XI.
The summer signing is yet to make a Premier League starting line-up for the Reds since his move from Vitoria Guimaraes, although he did get the nod against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup and marked the occasion with a goal. But that could change on Monday night as head coach Nuno Espirito Santo finds himself without talisman Morgan Gibbs-White for the visit of Crystal Palace.
Gibbs-White is struggling with an ankle injury and is also suspended for next week’s clash. If Nuno sticks with his usual 4-2-3-1 formation, Jota is one option to step into the vacant No.10 role.
Should he get the go-ahead, the 25-year-old will certainly have merited the opportunity after a number of impressive substitute displays. But the way he has taken to English football comes as no surprise to one of the player’s former coaches, who says the Portuguese will grasp every chance he gets with both hands.
“I hope so,” said Alvaro Pacheco, who worked with Jota at Vitoria last season and is now a coach at Saudi Arabian outfit Al Orobah, when asked if the attacker can work his way into the starting line-up. “I believe in his abilities and I’m certain, given his mentality, that he won’t give up until he establishes himself as a starter at Forest.
“Jota has an impressive mentality and resilience. He’s a bundle of energy and an athlete of great dedication to his work. He will be an asset to Forest for the depth and intensity he brings to the game and for his finishing ability.
“He is a player who has a lot of variability in his game, being able to easily adapt to the three positions in the attacking front, while also being very competent and committed to defensive tasks. He is, therefore, a very interesting player because he allows various options and solutions for his coach. The intensity he brings to the game is, for me, one of the characteristics that best defines him.”
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Jota made the switch to the City Ground after establishing himself as something of a fans’ favourite during his two-year spell at Vitoria. As a youth player he represented Sousense and Pacos Ferreira. He also had stints at Espinho, Leixoes and Casa Pia, but it was at Vitoria where he really made his mark.
