Tag: Nottingham Forest

Lalas: Nottingham Forest decided long ago it can’t count on Reyna

The USMNT star made his first start for Forest over the weekend

Gio Reyna may have finally made a start for Nottingham Forest, but that doesn’t mean the club believes it can count on him.

That is the opinion of Alexi Lalas, who spoke about the U.S. men’s national team midfielder’s dire club situation on the latest episode of his State of the Union podcast.

Reyna finally made his first Premier League start over the weekend, notching an assist from a corner kick as Forest drew Wolves 2-2 in a vital match.

It took the American nearly three months of his loan from Borussia Dortmund to get his first start, having played a total of just 90 minutes for Forest prior to Saturday’s match.

Though Reyna has finally made a breakthrough, Forest now has just five matches remaining this season. As a disappointing loan stint gets set to conclude, Lalas didn’t mince words about the USMNT star’s situation.

“You don’t need me to tell you that Gio starting, and Gio playing after what has been an absolutely abysmal time in terms of this loan to Forest is a good thing. Yes it’s a good thing. Does it change who Gio is as a player? No. Does it change how Forest in general look at him going forward? No,” Lalas said.

“I think they have gotten plenty of looks at what Gio is. And I think they have made the determination long ago that this is not somebody for the long haul. Not somebody they want to count on.”

Forest will face Everton on Sunday in a crucial relegation six-pointer. Reyna’s side enters the match one point and one place above the drop zone, with Everton just one point and one place above Forest.

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Did Reyna’s USMNT exploits earn him more minutes at Nottingham Forest? Nuno says…maybe

Nuno liked what he saw out of Reyna with the USMNT, but didn’t commit to giving him more minutes at Forest

Gio Reyna’s star showing for the U.S. men’s national team in its Concacaf Nations League triumph was impressive, but it’s not clear whether it will matter much to Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo.

The Forest boss was asked on Thursday whether Reyna’s performance with the USMNT could help him crack the club’s lineup after playing just 39 of a possible 810 minutes since joining the club on loan from Borussia Dortmund this winter.

Nuno acknowledged Reyna’s excellent work with the U.S., but wasn’t ready to commit to any increase in playing time.

“Reyna, very happy, because he was [named Best Player in the Concacaf Nations League] and he did very well,” Nuno told reporters when asked about the status of Forest’s returning internationals. “So we need all the players, because we have a hard [road], and we need all of them.”

When a reporter asked directly about whether Reyna’s showings in Texas might push him into the team for Saturday’s clash with Crystal Palace, Nuno indulged in some classic coach-speak.

“We’re gonna see more of everybody!” insisted Nuno. “Because we need all of them, all of them. They are aware that now is not important to to get any feeling of selfishness. Selfish? No. It’s all about the team, and if you play one minute, it’s for the team.”

The manager was not willing to divulge much about the fitness status of his side, but did admit that striker Taiwo Awoniyi will remain out with an unspecified injury.

That might not help Reyna crack the lineup, as Awoniyi is very much a target man, and Forest expects leading scorer Chris Wood to be available on Saturday anyway.

However, if Nuno looks to winger Anthony Elanga as a second option up front, it could open up at least one avenue to more playing time for the USMNT playmaker, even if being out wide isn’t his top choice.

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‘Cream always rises’ – Bellingham boosts Reyna after USMNT masterclass

If anyone knows about Gio Reyna’s quality, it’s Jude Bellingham

If anyone knows about Gio Reyna’s quality, it’s Jude Bellingham.

The pair were teammates for three seasons at Borussia Dortmund before Bellingham departed last summer to join Real Madrid, where he’s added to his growing reputation as one of the world’s top players.

Reyna hasn’t had nearly the same level of club success since Bellingham left Germany. The 21-year-old didn’t get a sustained run of playing time at Dortmund before departing at midseason to join Nottingham Forest on loan.

But things haven’t been any better in England, with Reyna totaling just 38 minutes of action with Forest thus far.

The international break came as a much-needed respite for Reyna, who showed what he can do over two Concacaf Nations League matches with the United States.

Reyna assisted two Haji Wright goals in extra time of a 3-1 win over Jamaica in the semifinal, and then scored himself in a 2-0 win over Mexico in the final on Sunday. For his efforts, Reyna won the Golden Ball as the Nations League’s best player.

After taking home more individual and team hardware, Reyna posted a series of photos on Instagram. Bellingham jumped into the comments section with a boost to his old friend, saying: “Cream always rises to the top.”

The challenge for Reyna will now be to translate his international form to the club level. His next chance to impress for Forest could come on Saturday in a Premier League match against Crystal Palace, which features his USMNT teammate Chris Richards.

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Turner open to ‘move backwards’ if Nottingham Forest stint doesn’t work out

Could the USMNT goalkeeper be on the move yet again?

Matt Turner has admitted he won’t hesitate to seek out another club if things don’t work out for him at Nottingham Forest.

After one year as Arsenal’s backup goalkeeper, Turner moved on to Forest last summer and began the season as the starter. But after being benched in the fall, only to regain his place, Turner was again replaced in the winter transfer window after Forest signed Matz Sels from Strasbourg.

Sels has become the full-time starter at Forest, with Turner only playing in cup matches since the Belgian’s arrival.

Ahead of the U.S. national team’s Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Jamaica, Turner spoke with USMNT legend Tim Howard about his place on head coach Gregg Berhalter’s depth chart.

“Obviously in a perfect world, in Gregg’s mind, I’m playing week-in, week-out, I’m in good form all the time, and then I’m playing well for the national team all the time. Unfortunately that’s not the reality right now,” Turner told the Daily Mail.

“But I’ve grown a lot as a goalkeeper in this last year — and also as a person… maybe I don’t have the greatest playing experience resume, but as like a life experience resume, I think I top almost any professional footballer in the world.”

Turner added: “Gregg understands the situation… we’ll sort out the club situation on the other side. I’ve had some good conversations with Nuno [Espírito Santo, Forest head coach] and they like what they see from me.”

After spending his first season in England as Arsenal’s backup, Turner said he went to the club’s leadership to inquire about his long-term status with the team.

Unable to receive assurances over a shot at playing, Turner sought a move away from north London. The 29-year-old admitted that he may be forced to have a similar conversation with Forest leadership.

“I’m not in the business of wasting time,” he said. “If it doesn’t work out for me here, then I can always move backwards. But when the opportunity presented itself… I had to jump at it.”

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Turner admits he’s ‘glad VAR didn’t intervene’ on error vs. Brentford

The USMNT goalkeeper admitted his overall performance was not up to standard

Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner admitted he was lucky to escape punishment after nearly conceding a penalty when he was caught in possession against Brentford on Sunday.

With the game scoreless in the second half, Turner took too long on the ball in his box and saw Yoane Wissa win the ball with a clean challenge. The American goalkeeper was in the middle of trying to boot the ball away, and his follow-through took out the Brentford forward after he had sent the ball toward goal with his tackle.

Wissa’s shot was cleared off the line, and Turner was fortunate the incident didn’t go to a video review after he clearly hacked down the forward and got none of the ball in the process.

Christian Nørgaard gave Brentford the lead minutes later on a header Turner could have arguably saved, putting the Bees ahead just two minutes after Moussa Niakhaté was sent off for Forest.

But the 10-man home side would strike back through Nicolás Domínguez to level the match at 1-1, which would end up as the final score.

Speaking to NBC Sports after the game, Turner held his hand up — not only for his error in the Wissa incident, but also for the goal he conceded and a performance that he admitted was shaky on the whole.

“Personally it feels like two [points] dropped but at the end of the day you have to take the positives on it. I look myself in the mirror on that first goal and I know I’ve gotta be better for teammates especially in that moment right after getting the red card,” Turner said.

“For us to concede in the fashion that we did, I shoulder that burden for sure. The response was amazing, some unbelievable individual plays down the stretch. Every point is crucial in this league. It feels like two dropped, but it’s a weird one.”

The USMNT No. 1 added: “It was a terrible start for me in the second half in general. The ball was slow. I wasn’t getting it out of my feet and [Wissa] was pressing me really hard. I was a little bit worried but I tried to hold back as much as I could, because I knew he was going to win it. I’m glad VAR didn’t intervene because that would have made things go from bad to worse for me.”

“But I’m proud of myself, also because of my response the rest of the game, keeping it a one [goal conceded] and coming for some crosses late to relieve pressure.”

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Horvath out, Steffen in as Premier League squads announced

Both players are facing a long spell without any club playing time

One day after he shut out Oman with the U.S. men’s national team, the harsh reality of Ethan Horvath’s club situation became apparent.

Nottingham Forest omitted Horvath from its 25-man Premier League squad on Wednesday, further reinforcing how far the 28-year-old is from club minutes.

The Colorado native missed out behind the club’s current starter, his international teammate Matt Turner, as well as the newly signed Odysseas Vlachodimos and Wales international Wayne Hennessey.

Horvath started last season while on loan at Luton Town, helping the club earn promotion to the Premier League. The Hatters opted against making the move permanent, however.

Horvath is now ineligible to play in the Premier League again until January at the earliest. With Forest already eliminated from the Carabao Cup and FA Cup minutes looking unlikely, Horvath is facing several months without any club playing time.

The only hope of avoiding that fate is a late move to the increasingly small number of leagues where the summer transfer window is still open.

Horvath has earned nine USMNT caps in his career, and served as Turner’s backup at the World Cup last year.

Steffen makes Man City’s PL squad

In a somewhat surprising move, USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen was named to Manchester City’s Premier League squad.

Steffen joined starter Ederson, as well as Scott Carson and Stefan Ortega as the Premier League champions’ four goalkeepers.

But don’t expect Steffen to see the field for City. The goalkeeper is still working his way back from knee surgery in June, and has previously expressed his desire to leave City permanently after playing with Middlesbrough on loan last season.

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Turner picks ideal time for first Premier League shutout

Turner needed to make a statement after Forest signed Odysseas Vlachodimos from Benfica

Matt Turner needed to make a statement on Saturday, one day after Nottingham Forest brought in some real competition for his place in goal.

A clean sheet and a victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge? That’ll do.

Forest beat Chelsea 1-0 in a league encounter, as Anthony Elanga’s goal just after halftime sealed an upset win for Steve Cooper’s side.

Turner wasn’t called upon too much in the game, but did everything asked of him and made two saves. The U.S. men’s national team starter had to be particularly alert late in the match, as he saved at his near post from Thiago Silva.

It was Turner’s first career Premier League clean sheet in his fourth start. The timing couldn’t have been better, as the USMNT No. 1 now looks to have some real competition for his starting role.

On Friday, Forest signed Odysseas Vlachodimos from Benfica in a deal worth a reported €8 million.

Vlachodimos is not the kind of goalkeeper who will join Forest expecting to be a backup. The Greece international made well over 200 appearances for Benfica over five seasons, winning two Portuguese league titles and helping the club reach the Champions League quarterfinals twice.

Turner would appear to have a slight advantage right now, as the incumbent who has put together a strong start to the season. But any slip-up will open the door for Vlachodimos, who has the quality to seize the job himself.

The USMNT man will have to be at his best all season and in his first four Premier League games at least, he’s been at the level he’ll need to hold off some stiff competition.

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Turner admits he was looking for a way out of Arsenal

The USMNT goalkeeper made just seven appearances in his lone season with the Gunners

Matt Turner says that Arsenal made it clear to him: If he wanted to play, he was going to have to leave.

Following just one season with the Gunners, the U.S. national team’s starting goalkeeper departed last week in a transfer to Nottingham Forest that could be worth up to £10 million.

Just days after completing the move, Turner made his Premier League debut in a familiar place. Coincidentally, Forest’s opening game of the season was away to Arsenal, with Steve Cooper’s side falling 2-1 after first-half goals from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka.

Turner made just seven appearances in his lone season with Arsenal, serving as Aaron Ramsdale’s backup. At 29 years old, the USMNT No. 1 isn’t in a place where he can afford to wait around too long for playing time. Speaking to ESPN, Turner said he began to look for a way out of Arsenal after an offseason conversation with club hierarchy.

“I think for me it was something that was definitely on my mind,” he said. “I wanted to go and play and find places to play, but at the end of last season when I brought that up it very much seemed like it wasn’t on the cards from conversations with the front office, staff members.

“If there was ever a league in Europe that I wanted to play in it was this one, so it’s been a goal of mine to prove myself in the Premier League and hopefully I can do that for 37 more games.”

AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

Turner was clear-eyed about his debut season, admitting that he didn’t feel he did enough to surpass Ramsdale as the club’s starter — though he was satisfied with his performances when given an opportunity.

Asked if he regretted not playing more at Arsenal, Turner said: “Sure, but obviously I didn’t do enough to earn that so I’m self-aware enough. I thought I did well in the opportunities that I had to play.

“But again, the team is at the top of the table for most of the season and when that’s the case you don’t really change the goalkeeper very much.”

Still, Turner said he was happy with his experience in north London, saying it helped him become the USMNT’s starter at the 2022 World Cup and has led to him getting a shot to start in the Premier League.

“It helped me to become number one for the national team and play in the World Cup and that was always the goal,” he said, “and now I’ve found myself playing in the Premier League at another club.”

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Arsenal unkind to Matt Turner as USMNT keeper makes Nottingham Forest debut

Not the kindest welcome back

Matt Turner came back to the Emirates Stadium, but Arsenal wasn’t in the mood to treat him all that kindly.

Just three days ago, the U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper completed a $12.7 million move from north London to Nottingham Forest in pursuit of playing time, only to find himself facing his old club immediately.

Forest’s first match of the Premier League season, a trip to Arsenal, was not a favorable one for a team that only just barely avoided relegation last season. In that context, a 2-1 away defeat really isn’t all that bad.

However, for Turner — plugged immediately into the lineup by manager Steve Cooper — it would have been some kind of dream to walk back into his old digs and put one over on a club that never gave him a shot in Premier League play.

That wasn’t meant to be, with Arsenal scoring one goal through some good fortune, and the other through unstoppable skill. In other words, a goalkeeper’s nightmare.

First, the luck. Gabriel Martinelli’s spinning pass was a piece of genius, and Eddie Nketiah’s cut inside was incisive. What followed, though, was cruel for Turner: Nketiah’s shot towards the far post — where Turner was just starting to dive — glanced off of Joe Worrall and skewed instead back where the USMNT No. 1 had come from.

Goals like that are torture for goalkeepers, but maybe Turner will think a bit less about what was to follow. It’s one thing to have a shot deflect just barely out of your reach, and another to see Bukayo Saka score a world-class curler from 20-plus yards. There’s just not much Turner or anyone else could do on a shot like this one.

It wasn’t all bad for Turner, who did well to deny Declan Rice three different times. The second was particularly tricky, as Rice’s low shot got through traffic and clipped Worrall, but the former Arsenal ‘keeper still managed to tip it wide.

Turner made five saves in all, and will likely enjoy a few days to get settled into life in Nottingham before focusing on Forest’s next match. In its own way, it’s a big one: home against Sheffield United in what looks like a clash between two teams who will need every point they can get to stay up.

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Matt Turner to Nottingham Forest seems perfect, except for one minor thing

Turner needed to escape Arsenal to get minutes, but nothing will be guaranteed at Forest

Matt Turner’s time at Arsenal is over after just one year, with the U.S. national team goalkeeper completing a transfer to Nottingham Forest reportedly worth up to £10 million.

Turner has signed a four-year deal with the Premier League side.

“When I heard that there was interest to bring me here, it just felt right for my family, it felt right when my agent spoke to me about it and it feels like the right move for me right now,” the 29-year-old told the club’s website.

For Turner, getting out of Arsenal was a must if he wanted any semblance of playing time this season. His debut season in north London saw him make just seven appearances, five of which came in the Europa League. With the Gunners in the Champions League this season, Turner’s minutes were likely to be reduced even more.

At Forest, Turner will undoubtedly have a clearer path to playing time than he did at Arsenal. But he may not have an unchallenged starting spot waiting for him either.

Multiple reports have said that irrespective of Turner’s arrival, Forest is still pursuing a move for Manchester United’s Dean Henderson.

That could be bad news for Turner, as Henderson impressed with Forest last season on loan before an injury cut his season short. Steve Cooper’s side may have to pay even more than it did for Turner to secure Henderson on a permanent basis.

If Henderson does arrive, it appears he and Turner will be in a battle for the starting role. That’s certainly an improvement over last season, when Turner was the unquestioned backup to Aaron Ramsdale, but it also means he’s not guaranteed to play a whole lot more at his new club than he did with Arsenal.

Another strange wrinkle to this deal is the presence of Turner’s USMNT teammate Ethan Horvath at Forest. After helping Luton Town to promotion last season, the newly minted Premier League club turned down the chance to sign Horvath permanently. Turner’s arrival at Forest will now help push Horvath even closer to the exit door.

For Turner, Horvath and any other goalkeeper who wishes to start for the USMNT (ahem, Zack Steffen), minutes are a must. Turner has made a positive step in that direction, but he’ll still have to earn his place as a Premier League starter.

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