This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
It never hurts to have a backup plan, now it’s time to see if Forest will try to implement it.
Whilst Michael Dawson is reportedly set to be fit once the international break is over, it is at least worth looking at who could replace him should the injury start to flare up once more.
Even if the injury doesn’t come around again, given that Dawson is into the final year of his contract and with Joe Worrall unlikely to move despite the reports of Newcastle United being interested in him, this would give Sabri Lamouchi the opportunity to see exactly what other options he has at his disposal to look at building a new partnership next season.
On the chalkboard
The most suitable candidate just happens to be someone that they brought in during the summer window, Chema.
If you look at his body of work for his previous club Levante, it shows that he is a good ‘modern’ defender who is both capable of defending the goal and getting involved in the attack.
His statistics prove that he is more than capable of slotting into the side at the City Ground and prospering in the absence of Dawson. In Spain, he averaged 1.1 tackle and 1.1 interceptions per game, whilst also committing less than one foul each outing.
He’s clearly incredibly disciplined and shouldn’t really have Forest fans worrying about giving away too many free-kicks in dangerous positions.
His ability to play with the ball and start attacks as well is rather impressive.
He completes nearly 24 passes a game, with a success rate of just under 75%. Combine him with other members of the team who also like to pass the ball around, such as Joao Carvalho and Tiago Silva and you’ve got a centre-back who can help dictate play.
Whilst he hasn’t had much of an opportunity to impress in front of Lamouchi, with Dawson’s days looking darker, he just has to hope that the manager makes him first in line, or he may never get his chance at all.
This could also be chance for him to stake a claim in case Worrall does actually depart.