Ibrahim Sangare has taken some time to get up to speed at Nottingham Forest, but over the last two seasons there has been cause for optimism.
He was outstanding last season as Forest reached the Europa League semi-final and also avoided relegation from the Premier League with two games to spare.
You can only pick ONE: Which central midfielder are you taking at Nottingham Forest this summer and why?
Sangare still divides opinion on the banks of the River Trent, but he really shouldn’t after his heroics in the midfield last season that saw four different managers pick him every week.
Some fans have been left surprised by Sangare’s impact at Forest, but not as surprised as Ruud van Nistelrooy was in 2023 by something utterly brilliant the Ivorian did playing for PSV.
Ibrahim Sangare’s record-breaking goal in 2023
In March 2023, Sangare was attracting interest from Bayern Munich, PSG and Liverpool, with none of the clubs ultimately choosing to make their move.
It was a KNVB League Cup game that saw Sangare take centre-stage with his goal in the quarter-final breaking a record in the Netherlands.
After taking aim from the edge of the box, Sangare unleashed a spectacular effort that smashed into the top corner of the net, with the speed of the shot clocked at 105.6 mph!
The footage of the goal showcases Van Nistelrooy’s reaction, and at the time, his manager was clearly shell-shocked at what he’d just witnessed.
Sangare actually scored 15 goals and claimed 10 assists during his time with PSV, and it was this goal that is still shown on highlight reels years later.
Sangare will be massive for Forest under Oliver Glasner
The Ivorian is now back in training after playing for his country at the World Cup, and he will get straight to work in training today.
Sangare is going to be so important in Oliver Glasner’s team this season, and the hope will be that he can kick on even further in 2026/27.
If Forest sign Ernest Poku which of our current wingers would you offload first?
Forest got a glimpse of Sangare’s goalscoring exploits last season when he unleashed a brilliant long-range effort against Tottenham that sailed into the net.
Sangare shouldn’t be judged on the number of goals he scores, but if he can chip in with a few more, then it would certainly help him win the Forest fans around unanimously.
Receive a digest of our best Nottingham Forest content each week direct to your mailbox
