Steve Cooper has sat down with Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare following his move to the City Ground. The Ivorian became the club’s record signing when he joined from PSV on transfer deadline day.
Sangare made his debut for Forest in a 1-1 draw against Burnley last night. He played the full 90 minutes and it’s fair to say that he did some good things and some stuff remains a work in progress.
The 25-year-old will undoubtedly become a quality signing for the Reds. He was courted by some top clubs in the summer, including Liverpool, PSG and Bayern Munich.
Steve Cooper has had Sangare on his shortlist since the club won promotion in 2022. Last summer he was unobtainable but this time around the club got their man.
Following his arrival, Cooper has had to sit down and have a chat with Sangare. He’s explained to him what the Premier League is all about and what he expects from him.
He told The Athletic: “I had a good chat with him. What we have learned, since we have been in the Premier League, is that it can take some time to realise what it’s like. English football is different in the way it is played, in the intensity, in the way it is refereed. There has to be a realisation of that.
“He showed bits of who he is tonight and there are other bits that we want to develop with him.”
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Forest boss Cooper had to speak with Sangare after arrival
There were definitely some flashes of what Sangare is all about last night. The player will develop and learn as the season progresses and he’ll become a big player for the Reds.
Forest courted Sangare for ages. They will now have to work with him and determine how they feel they can get the best out of the Ivory Coast international.
It’s good that Cooper has already pre-warned Sangare about the Premier League. However, the player will be under no illusions as to just how much he will now have to step up to go to the next level.