‘He’s a Premier League athlete’: Steve Cooper wowed by ‘dynamic’ Nottingham Forest star

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Steve Cooper has lauded the efforts of Anthony Elanga after Nottingham Forest lost to Arsenal on Saturday. The player came off the bench to make his debut after his £15 million transfer from Manchester United.

The Reds huffed and puffed in the second 45 minutes. Once Elanga was introduced, the dynamic of the game changed and his assist for Taiwo Awoniyi’s goal was just brilliant.

The Reds couldn’t quite grab the equalising goal in the end. However, the second-half performance does offer some hope going forward that Forest can improve away.

Elanga looks like a good signing on the face of things. He’s only 21-years-old and with 55 appearances to his name for Manchester United, the future does look bright.

After the game on Saturday, Cooper expressed his delight with Forest star Elanga. He thinks there will be more to come from the forward and raved about his performance.

He told The Athletic: “Anthony is really, really quick and dynamic. He’s a Premier League athlete already. That is the one thing that I’d like to improve throughout the team; athleticism and speed.

“Anthony has brought that, along with T (Awoniyi) as well. If we can do that in a couple of other positions, it would definitely help.”

Cooper lauded Elanga after opening-day defeat for Forest

It does look as though the man signed from United will prove a quality addition to the City Ground ranks. Elanga’s raw pace will delight the Forest fans and hopefully, there will be more to come.

This was a superb Forest cameo from Elanga. He took the game by the scruff of the neck and he must be in line to start against Sheffield United on Friday night.

Forest will know they have to keep proving strong at home. Their away form remains a concern, although Saturday’s performance offers hope that things can pick up.

Elanga is the type of signing that Forest should be making. He’s arrived as a youngster who craves first-team football and if his first outing is anything to go by, the Reds might have got themselves a gem.