The second international break is upon us and for Nottingham Forest it represents a good time to take stock of things.
Forest have started well in the Premier League, sitting tenth in the table with 10 points from seven games.
Nuno Espirito Santo is trying desperately to enjoy a season of progression at Forest this season after narrowly avoiding relegation during 2023/24.
Pundits are starting to take note of Forest, however, with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards already looking foolish with some pre-season predictions.
Furthermore, Chris Sutton has claimed that he didn’t see Forest so high in the league at this stage and things are definitely looking up.
One thing that is already in a great place at the City Ground is the club’s academy and fans are often unanimous on the future looking bright.
Nottingham Forest gem named as one to watch in Premier League next-gen list
Two years ago it was Zach Abbott who made this list for Forest, whilst last year it was Kristian Clarke picked out by The Guardian.
Now, it’s the turn of young talent Isaac Davies to get the nod from Will Unwin who covers the Midlands for the publication.
Davies has already been handed a professional contract with Forest and he’s operating ahead of schedule in terms of his development.
At the start of season, the attacker who is predominantly left-footed was operating on a regular basis with the under-18s, despite being a 15-year-old.
Recently, he signed a first professional contract and has been a regular once again in Lewis Grabban’s under-18 outfit.
Davies normally plays through the centre but he also has the capabilities to play from the right and cut inside on his trusted left-foot.
Forest academy going from strength to strength
Davies is at a club where things are definitely on the up and it’s not only the first team that have benefitted from Premier League football.
The Reds earned Category One status on the back of promotion and they’re now thriving in a number of new tournaments.
For starters, Forest get to play in the Premier League 2, whilst the B-Team also get to sample the Premier League International Cup and enter the EFL Trophy.
As a result, that means that Davies should have ample chances to star with the B-Team if he continues his current rate of development.
Given that Forest have already rewarded him with a professional contract, it appears they have high hopes behind the scenes and it will be fascinating to watch him develop.
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