Former Nottingham Forest player Ben Brereton Diaz enjoyed a memorable night for Chile as they defeated Paraguay 2-0. The ex-Reds striker scored his country’s first goal, with Mauricio Isla wrapping up proceedings.
Brereton Diaz has been like a different player this season. In 11 matches for Blackburn during 2021/22 he has found the net 10 times and registered one assist.
Forest offloading the striker in 2018. Rovers parted with £7 million for his services and that looked like a tidy deal. During his time at the City Ground, he fired nine goals in 57 appearances.
This season though he has been reborn. He has really kicked on and at 22 he still has bags of unrealised potential. The sad news for Blackburn is that he’s out of contract during the summer.
As he’s under 24, the Championship outfit would be entitled to compensation. They’ll want to get Brereton Diaz tied down, however, and ensure he remains part of their squad.
Forest do have a number of add ons in their deal, whilst it’s thought that there was a sell-on clause as part of the deal too.
His goal last night was special. He now has two goals to his name for the country where his mother was born and he’s growing as a player with the national team.
What have Forest fans said about Brereton Diaz?
The jury still remains out. For a player who with his goals to games ratio, £7 million was a decent deal. It’s fair to say there are no hard feelings though and fans are happy to see him doing well.
There is also the notion among some supporters that this season may well be a flash in the pan. Of course, we won’t know if that is the case until next season.
If he keeps firing in the goals on the international stage, he might not find himself at Blackburn much longer. Brereton Diaz will surely start attracting Premier League clubs in the near future.
Following his performance last night. Forest fans have been discussing the player on Twitter. Here is what they had to say about the former City Ground academy graduate.
Rovers are going to have a job on their hands keep hold of him.
— Liam Statham (@Liamstatham) October 11, 2021
What an amazing impact playing for Chile has had on his career. Boosted his self belief and he’s flying. Excited to see where he goes next. If he goes Prem I hope he chooses wisely (Leeds/Brentford) else go abroad
— Steve Stone's Mullet (@RedDogCam) October 11, 2021
Good luck to him… living the dream 😀
— Derek (@doconnelll) October 11, 2021
Big Ben will be going down in Chilean folklore at this rate. 😁
— Grant (@Grantnffc1) October 11, 2021
Well taken goal that. #nffc https://t.co/aiYWYD4tow
Lucky season???
— JP (@Bo55jppp) October 11, 2021
I was disappointed when we sold Brereton (Diaz), and though it's taken a while for him to find form at Blackburn he's now showing exactly why. Though I have to say, becoming Chilean has been the making of him! #NFFC https://t.co/WNtok1nBeL
— Food, Fun and Forest 🍗🍰🥳🎉🌳🌲 (@FoodFunForest) October 11, 2021