Nuno Espírito Santo was right as Nottingham Forest flop struggles after summer exit

Nuno Espírito Santo was right as Nottingham Forest flop struggles after summer exit

Nuno Espírito Santo’s Squad Overhaul at Nottingham Forest Justified by Ramon Sosa’s Struggles

Nuno Espírito Santo has taken a clear and assertive approach in reshaping his Nottingham Forest squad, with player departures playing a crucial role in his plans for improvement.

While high-profile signings like Douglas Luiz and James McAtee have grabbed headlines during the summer transfer window, a number of outgoings have been necessary to make room for these new arrivals.

One of the key moves saw Danilo sold to Botafogo, allowing for adjustments in central midfield. Meanwhile, fringe players such as Marko Stamenic were moved on after being deemed surplus to requirements.

Although there’s always a possibility that some outgoing players may go on to prove Forest wrong, one case in particular seems to support Nuno’s judgment—Ramon Sosa.

Sosa’s Underwhelming Start at Palmeiras Backs Forest’s Decision

Ramon Sosa was a notable departure this summer. While he showed potential, he wasn’t considered ready to contribute meaningfully at Forest and could, at best, have been a backup option on the wing.

Nuno gave the green light for Sosa to leave after just one season, and the Paraguayan moved to Palmeiras in July. However, ten games into his stint in Brazil, Sosa has yet to score and has only managed two assists—offering little in terms of impact.

Reports claimed Sosa had fallen out with Nuno prior to his departure, but his lackluster form at Palmeiras underscores why he featured so little at the City Ground.

With players like Omari Hutchinson now brought in to replace him, Nuno’s intent to build a squad free of fringe players is becoming a reality.

Sosa Didn’t Fit Nuno’s Vision for the Season Ahead

This season, Nuno has demanded more from his bench players, seeking real impact from his substitutes—something Sosa was unable to provide.

Last year, Forest relied heavily on a fixed starting XI with only a few viable backup options. Such a limited approach was never going to be sustainable, especially with European competition now in the picture.

As reported by Daniel Taylor of The Athletic, this shift began with a direct conversation between Nuno and club owner Evangelos Marinakis. Speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, Taylor revealed:

“At the end of last season, Marinakis asked Nuno: ‘What do you want?’ and Nuno replied that he now needed two full teams.”

“Last season he only really had an eleven. Then two or three useful substitutes, and the rest were players who weren’t good enough.”

Sosa, it seems, fell into that latter category. His performances for Palmeiras have only further validated Forest’s decision to part ways.