Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Jordan Smith has claimed that he wants to play in the Premier League for the Reds. The 28-year-old is currently the third choice custodian and sits behind Dean Henderson and Wayne Hennessey in the pecking order.
Smith has been with the club for over 20 years. He’s pretty much seen it all at the City Ground. He’s been a ball boy, a youth team player and eventually made the step up to star in the first team.
Now, Smith’s role has changed somewhat. He’s failed to make a single appearance since the 2020/21 campaign and was on the bench just three times during the promotion-winning campaign.
The goalkeeper has now been discussing his time at Forest with BBC Sport. The Reds stopper is keen to complete the set at the City Ground and he wants to tick off one final thing on Trentside.
He told BBC Sport: “I’ve seen it all, done it all and lived it.
“I’ve played for Forest in the Championship, FA Cup, League Cup, gone out on loan, played in the reserves and then the under-21s.
“I am missing the Premier League and from a selfish point of view I’d like to tick that box.”
Smith wants to play in the Premier League
It has to be said that this seems unlikely. He will be on the bench against Manchester United, however, with Henderson ineligible to play against the club he’s on loan at Forest from.
If Hennessey goes down with an injury, or repeats his World Cup exploits and gets sent off, Smith will get the nod and be told to strap his gloves up and get ready to make his Premier League debut.
The Reds could perhaps target another goalkeeper in January. It will all depend on just how highly Steve Cooper rates Smith and whether he sees him as a realistic option to keep goal if it comes to that.
Smith is a model professional. In recent seasons he’s not been needed but quite clearly he’s a positive influence around the club. As a result, it will be intriguing to see what happens when his contract is up in the summer.
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