Nottingham Forest have a number of exciting talents coming through the academy ranks.
Athletic journalist Paul Taylor recently reported that Nuno Espirito Santo is a big admirer of Zyan Blake, who is impressing for the B team.
“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.”
So, Blake is certainly one to watch out for and former manager Steve Cooper has already told Nuno Espirito Santo the other Nottingham Forest youngster to keep tabs on.
Steve Cooper has already told Nuno Espirito Santo to watch out for Nottingham Forest youngster Dale Taylor
Dale Taylor has flourished out on loan with Wigan Athletic this season and recently scooped their Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year award.
Wigan manager Ryan Lowe reckons Taylor will have a really bright career and can become a 20-goal-a-season striker.
Speaking to The Athletic in 2021, Steve Cooper earmarked him as one to watch out for.
“We are very aware of him and I have seen him play — and he will be with us at some stage,” Cooper said.
“He will get that opportunity. But that will be down to the work he does with Reidy, Warren and the other coaching staff.
“He is still only 17. That is a really important age and he needs to be working on what they tell him to do. They are responsible for him and they will tell us when the time is right for him to be given an opportunity. That time will come, whether it is this season or next.”
Clearly, Cooper was planning to get Taylor involved with the first team, but those hopes were dashed when he was sacked in December 2023.
Nuno Espirito Santo must give Taylor opportunity to impress in pre-season
After coming off the back of a really productive loan spell in League One, netting 11 times whilst laying on seven assists, Taylor deserves a chance to impress in pre-season for the first team.
The 21-year-old is already an eight-cap international with Northern Ireland, so he’s had exposure to playing in front of big crowds in high-pressure games.
And, Forest are in the market for a striker, so why not take a look at Taylor in a few of the friendlies this summer.
Though, the club may be tempted to send him back to the Football League for another season-long loan, but this time to the Championship.
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