SMART MOVE: Evangelos Marinakis UCL spot contention very much in HOT waves as Club owner informed to make veteran 2021 UCL winner with Top notch crossing skill a Top priority in January transfer wishlist…. Can’t imagine this GEM assisting inform Chris Wood.
Nottingham Forest have been the surprise team of the 2024/25 Premier League season. After 10 matches, they sit in 3rd place, a position that would qualify them for the UEFA Champions League.
Ending the season in a Champions League spot would be a stunning achievement, comparable to Leicester City’s legendary title win in 2015/16 under Claudio Ranieri. Even securing a Europa Conference League berth would be a significant milestone for Forest, who haven’t played in European competition since their 1996 UEFA Cup quarter-final loss to eventual winners Bayern Munich.
Forest have built a strong squad, but even the best teams look to strengthen every transfer window. With January approaching, manager Nuno Espirito Santo likely has some targets in mind. Among potential options, Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell could be a smart addition.
Currently, Alex Moreno fills the left-back role for Forest. Although Moreno, who arrived from Aston Villa, has been reliable, Chilwell would be a notable upgrade. Chelsea would likely consider a £25 million offer for Chilwell if one came their way.
Pairing Chilwell with former Chelsea teammate Callum Hudson-Odoi on the left could boost Forest’s attack. Moreover, at 31, Moreno may struggle with the demands of full-time play later in the season, whereas Chilwell, at 27, is more accustomed to a high-intensity schedule at an elite level.
Adding Chilwell would also give Espirito Santo greater flexibility to revert to a back-three formation—a system he successfully used at Wolves—with Chilwell as a left wing-back. Chilwell’s balanced playstyle, proven in Chelsea’s Champions League-winning campaign under Thomas Tuchel, would fit well in this setup.
Alternatively, Chilwell could be deployed as a traditional left winger. In more pragmatic setups, Espirito Santo could play Chilwell at left wing with Moreno behind him, offering a more defensive combination.
Beyond his skills on the field, Chilwell’s experience with top clubs chasing European competition could provide valuable leadership. Playing for European qualification brings a different level of pressure, and most of Forest’s squad haven’t experienced those stakes. Chilwell’s presence could help instill a winning mentality.
A potential advantage of this deal is Chelsea’s openness to a loan arrangement with an option to buy, allowing Forest to benefit from his experience in the short term while Chelsea reduces their wage bill. A deal like this would support Forest’s European aspirations while offering Chelsea a path to an eventual sale.