Why Nottingham Forest should avoid signing Luke Freeman
According to Nottinghamshire Live, Nottingham Forest are set to launch a fresh bid for Sheffield United midfielder Luke Freeman.
Freeman, 27, who came through the ranks of Charlton Athletic and Gillingham’s youth system, hasn’t lived up to the expectations in the Premier League this season. Though he was excellent for QPR in the 2017/18 season, where he provided 13 assists, he has struggled to replicate that form for the Blades.
Despite him featuring in just 10 league games this season, the Blades are not willing to sell their midfielder but Forest have not given up their chase, according to The Sun (h/t Nottinghamshire Live).
The report also suggests that Leeds United have been linked with a move for the former Arsenal youth team player.
Meanwhile, Sabri Lamouchi’s men have done quite well and have managed to put in decent performances to stay in the fight for promotion. But they have won just once in the last four games.
The Reds have a huge squad with some quality midfielder in their ranks and have been excellent in almost every game. Their star striker Lewis Grabban has led the line effectively, scoring 16 goals in the Championship so far and helping them to 4th position in the table.
Their attacking midfielders have also supported the forwards in a huge way, with Joao Carvalho and Tiago Silva contributing with 1 goal and 5 assists between them.
Silva has featured in all of the 28 league games in this campaign and has established himself as the first-choice to start behind the striker, since joining from UD Feirense last summer. compatriot Joao Carvalho is also developing into a key player, having already made 19 appearances.
Lamouchi has preferred both of them in the squad despite Carvalho being left out in the initial stages of the campaign. Therefore, it would not make sense if they go for Luke Freeman in the transfer window.
The 27-year-old hasn’t been able to convince Chris Wilder completely, thus leading to a downfall in the pecking order. Last season, he scored and assisted 8 each for QPR in all competitions but has failed to deliver since moving to Bramall Lane, with just 1 assist to his name so far.
Freeman needs to build up his confidence to get regular game time and if he decides to stay in the Premier League, it would help him a lot.
Verdict
Lamouchi has gone with the 4-2-3-1 formation for the majority of the season and the Portuguese duo of Carvalho and Silva has fitted well in the central role. And it wouldn’t be good to add someone else in the team, trying to change the line-up.
Therefore, Forest must avoid signing Freeman and instead look for suitable reinforcements in other areas of the pitch before the end of this month.
