Matz Sels has been the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper for the past two years, but that mantle could be slipping.
Forest are facing a fight to remain in the Premier League this season, and whichever division the Reds play in, some decisions will need to be made on some star players.
The goalkeeper recently helped Forest out by returning to action earlier than expected to start between the posts against Brighton, with Stefan Ortega getting injured against Fenerbahce.
If they’re both fit, who is the number one goalkeeper at Nottingham Forest?
Let us know who should get the nod in the comments below…
Matz Sels could be on borrowed time at Forest
Firstly, it’s got to be noted that Sels deserves the utmost respect for his time at Forest and his recent return that went against the initial timescale for his recovery.
He also deserves immense credit for keeping 13 clean sheets last season to help Forest secure a seventh-place finish in the Premier League and a share of the Golden Glove alongside Arsenal stopper David Raya.
This season, however, there have been fewer positive moments for Sels, with his form somewhat sporadic in comparison to last season’s heroics.
One thing that Sels has never proved overly capable with is coming to claim aerial balls pumped into the box, whether it be from set-pieces or open play.
Against City, Sels got involved with wrestling against Erling Haaland from a corner and that allowed Rodri to head home from inside the six-yard box.
There was also a potentially clumsy moment when Erling Haaland felt he was fouled which might not have happened with a more alert goalkeeper.
With Ortega coming into the club, there is now a belief among the fan base that there is life after Sels and at 34-years-old, it’s perhaps time for Forest to look for a new custodian.
Forest should target younger goalkeeper
There is a sense that Forest need to go and sign a new goalkeeper who can be tied down by Forest ahead of his very best years.
Robin Risser is currently performing brilliantly at Lens, and he has a number of Premier League clubs chasing his signature in the summer.
If the Reds finish up surviving in the top-flight, then a new goalkeeper is a must for next season, with Sels only likely to be required as backup at best.
Forest should forever be indebted to Sels for his efforts during 2024/25, but the time now looks to be close when the Reds need to be brutal and replace him in the team.
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