Nottingham Forest duo Brennan Johnson and Djed Spence have been shortlisted for the EFL Young Player of the Year award. Liverpool bound star Fabio Carvalho makes up the list of three players under consideration for the accolade.
It’s been a season to remember for the pair. Both have linked up superbly well on Forest’s right-hand side, with both players enjoying campaigns to saviour.
Spence was something of a surprise arrival at the City Ground. He arrived at a time when Forest have Jordan Gabriel, Mohamed Drager and Fin Back competing for the right-back spot.
The 21-year-old has quickly made it his own, however. During the current campaign, he’s scored three goals and claimed five assists in Steve Cooper’s team.
He will almost certainly head back to Middlesbrough in the summer. Some reports have claimed that Boro want around £15 million for his signature, with Arsenal and Tottenham both keen.
Another man attracting Premier League interest is Johnson. He has been in blistering form during 2021/22, scoring 15 goals and claiming eight assists for Forest.
He looked all set to go to Brentford in January, with the Bees bidding £20 million. Forest stood firm though and since the turn of the year, the 20-year-old has been magnificent.
Carvalho will take some beating but Forest duo deserve recognition
One man who is already set for the Premier League is Carvalho. He has agreed on a transfer to Liverpool that will cost the Champions League outfit an initial £5 million.
Carvalho is a top player but his numbers this season don’t stack up to Johnson. The 19-year-old has scored eight times and claimed seven assists in the Fulham team that sits on the brink of promotion.
Still, Johnson and Spence offer a reminder of just how good Forest have been under Cooper. Having two players named on such a respected shortlist under Chris Hughton looked a million miles away.
Let’s home one of the Forest boys can bring home the bacon for the Reds on and off the pitch!