Chris Wood has been the main centre-forward at Nottingham Forest for a while now, but he’s coming towards the end of his career.
The 34-year-old recovered from a knee injury that robbed him of six months of last season to make the World Cup, where New Zealand were eliminated at the group stages.
Fill in the blank: Jean Philippe Mateta would be a __/10 summer signing…🤔
The Crystal Palace striker is linked with Forest again!
Now, he will enjoy a rest and hope to return for pre-season, looking to impress Oliver Glasner sufficiently to keep his place next season.
The incoming boss, however, will know that a new centre-forward will need targeting in the near future, and perhaps now is the golden chance Forest needs to replace Wood.
Glasner can help snare Jean-Philippe Mateta
In January, Forest thought they’d won the race to sign Mateta from Crystal Palace.
However, AC Milan came in for the Frenchman before he eventually failed a medical, was restored to the Palace squad and helped the team with the UEFA Conference League.
Mateta is a proven Premier League talisman, and with Glasner now at the City Ground, perhaps a move for the Frenchman becomes more attractive.
The 29-year-old scored 17 goals during the 2024/25 campaign and last season, despite his injury concerns, he bagged 16 goals.
Mateta only has a year to run on his existing Selhurst Park contract and that could tempt the Eagles into a sale this summer.
Wood has a part to play at Forest
Although Wood is likely to be coming to the end of his playing career, there is no reason for Forest to get rid of him.
The professional striker has a role to play next season, and he might thrive with faster players around him – something that Glasner typically likes to have in his teams.
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Wood’s 20 goals during the 2024/25 campaign have earned him the right to choose when he calls time on his Forest career.
Out of respect for what he’s achieved at the club, it’s only right that he’s allowed to see out his contract, and the hope will be that he can thrive and keep scoring goals.
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