‘Completely different’: Jermaine Jenas thinks Steve Cooper has transformed one Forest player

Add as preferred source on Google

Jermaine Jenas thinks that Steve Cooper has completely transformed Serge Aurier at Nottingham Forest. The 30-year-old was made captain yesterday as the Reds drew 1-1 with Brentford.

The experienced right-back signed for Forest on a free transfer in the summer of 2022. He was an important part of the team that avoided relegation back to the Championship last season.

Aurier is clearly an influential member of the dressing room. With Joe Worrall left on the bench and vice-captain Ryan Yates not in the squad yesterday, the defender was tossed the armband.

Jenas thinks Aurier has been transformed by Forest

It’s mad really just how good Aurier has been at Forest. He’s been a class act since he came to the club and he leads by example every time he pulls on the shirt.

Jenas has been very impressed with the transformation of the defender. The pundit believes that under Cooper he’s been so impressed with how Forest star Aurier has evolved as a person.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Jenas said: “He wants players to play the game in a certain way and he has brought in good footballers to do that.

“Serge Aurier is a good example of that, which is why I asked Cooper about him after Sunday’s game.

“I watched Aurier a lot at Tottenham – it didn’t quite work out for him for some reason – and he looks like a completely different person at Forest.

“Cooper has made him captain and sometimes when you give players more responsibility they show a different side to themselves.”

Aurier is so important to Cooper’s plans

The Reds team is now brimming with quality. However, Aurier, one of last season’s star men for Forest, remains an integral part of what the team are trying to do this season.

Aurier is clearly a brilliant leader. He was seen on several occasions yesterday remonstrating with his teammates and trying to get the team going, especially after the second off.

The Reds have options all over the pitch for this season. Despite the signing of Gonzalo Montiel, it would appear that Forest are going to consider Aurier their number-one right-back option once more.