Nottingham Forest had a success story from the academy at the weekend.
18-year-old centre-back Zach Abbott impressed against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final defeat at Wembley.
Abbott, who’s been capped at youth level by England, became the youngest player since Marcus Rashford to start an FA Cup game at Wembley.
Sunderland teenager Chris Rigg congratulated Abbott after the game, as did Newcastle United’s Lewis Miley.
Nottingham Forest fans certainly enjoyed seeing one of their own feature in such a high-profile game and naturally, they’re wondering who the next academy graduate will be.
With that said, The Athletic’s Paul Taylor has now revealed who Nuno Espirito Santo and his coaches have high hopes for.
Nottingham Forest are ‘excited about’ Zyan Blake
When asked about who the next academy graduate could be, Paul Taylor explained that Forest coaches are really ‘excited’ about Zyan Blake.
“There are a few players coming through the ranks that the club are excited about – Zyan Blake being one of them,” Taylor said.
“He is a young man with a lot of natural ability, when it comes to carrying the ball at speed.
In theory, he would fit perfectly into the way that Forest like to play.
“But the reality is that he is still only 17 and it will be a while before he is ready to be a regular in the Premier League.
“He still needs the opportunity to develop and grow. Forest do need younger players to come through the ranks – and the B team are flying in the Premier League International Cup, where they will play Lyon in the final (still to be decided when and where).
“That group is largely built around the players who got to the final of the FA Youth Cup, where they played Manchester United at Old Trafford a few years ago.
“Many – in fact most – of those players are all from Nottingham as well, which feels like a nice thing.
But in terms of the next Abbott coming through the ranks, Forest might need to be patient.”
Who is Zyan Blake?
Blake plies his trade as a left-winger for Nottingham Forest’s under-21s.
The 17-year-old started the season with the under-18s but quickly progressed to the reserve team and registered four goal involvements in as many games in the Premier League 2 this term.
Blake is incredibly versatile and can operate as a number 10 and off the right flank, so that will certainly interest Nuno and his staff.
He’s been one to watch in the academy space for a number of years, having made his debut for the B team aged just 15.
Whilst Taylor reckons it may be a little while yet before Blake is involved with the first-team, Abbott’s success could prompt Nuno to include him in his pre-season plans ahead of a potential debut next year.
Certainly a player to keep an eye out for.
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