David Prutton thinks he knows why Nottingham Forest defender Gonzalo Montiel struggled on Monday night. The player made his full debut in the Premier League as the Reds drew 1-1 with Burnley.
Montiel signed for Forest during the summer transfer window from Sevilla. The Reds added the right-sided full-back from Sevilla for a very reasonable price.
The 26-year-old helped Argentina win the World Cup last year. He scored the winning penalty in the final against France and he will hope to make an impact at the City Ground.
His full debut didn’t go according to plan, however. He was booked in the first half and subsequently, he was substituted early into the second half to be replaced by Nuno Tavares.
Prutton thinks the player might need a bit of time to adapt to football in the Premier League. Following his debut, he’s been discussing why he thinks he might have struggled.
He told the Garibaldi Red Podcast: “South American football as passionate as it is, there is a comparison with the City Ground given the noise.
“When you see someone like Montiel come in and taste the Premier League, you kind of allow them a free hit.
“If you’re five games in and he’s still like a fish out of water then it’s different. There is no league around the Premier League and even if you’ve got a World Cup medal around your neck, it can take you by surprise.”
Prutton on Montiel and his Forest struggles
The man who came through the ranks at Forest served the club well during his time as a player. He was the guest on the latest edition of the Garibaldi Red Podcast this week and was discussing the club’s fortunes.
Montiel will come good. You don’t win the World Cup and the Europa League during the last nine months without being a useful addition to any team that he plays in.
The defender is on loan at the City Ground for now. Forest do have an option to sign Montiel on a permanent basis at the end of the 2023/24 campaign should he impress.
His debut was a bit of a disaster, it has to be said. However, all is not lost and Prutton is right to reserve judgement on the player right now.
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