Nuno Espirito Santo blown away by ‘determined’ Nottingham Forest star in training

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Nottingham Forest landed a number of quality signings during the summer transfer window, with a shift in strategy quite clearly on display.

The Reds need to get themselves into a position where every season doesn’t become a fight against relegation and there is a sense that this campaign can be different.

Some of the signings are international footballers and the experience that they can bring to the team should bode well during a long season.

One of those players is Nikola Milenkovic and it’s fair to say that he’s making quite the impression at the City Ground.

• READ MORE: Footage shares what stunned James Ward-Prowse when he came to Forest

What Nuno Espirito Santo has said about Forest star Nikola Milenkovic

The Reds defender has only made two Premier League appearances but he’s been impressive with an intelligent view on the defensive side of things.

Forest will hope he can partner up with either Murillo or Morato and help the Reds concede less soft goals during the current campaign.

Milenkovic has helped Fiorentina to back-to-back European finals and that level of experience is unrivalled in the Forest back line.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to Liverpool, Espirito Santo has shared what makes Milenkovic so good to work with.

He said in his press conference: “First of all, he’s quality! The way he has been working with us since the beginning shows that he’s very focused, very determined and he competes very well.

“He’s a competitor. Every moment and every training session, he’s always trying to do better and that’s the spirit we want – someone with this mentality. He’s a nice guy, a very nice guy.”

Milenkovic is captain material at Forest

This week, Milenkovic spoke of his pride at being named the new captain of Serbia and clearly, he’s got leadership qualities.

Forest need to pull clear of that pack of clubs who become serial strugglers in the Premier League and a player like Milenkovic could help with that.

At 26-years-old, the player has bags of time on his side and for Forest to sign him for just £12 million this summer already feels like a steal.

The Reds face a tough run of fixtures starting with this weekend’s trip to Liverpool and perhaps a player like Milenkovic can help the mentality.

With neither Morgan Gibbs-White nor Ryan Yates really holding down the captaincy and making it their own, perhaps Milenkovic is a man who can wear the armband in the future.