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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to Paul Taylor at the Athletic, Chema Rodriguez is likely to be one of the next few names through the door at the City Ground after a deal to sign the centre-back continues to be worked on ahead of the deadline.
What’s the word?
Reports from the Athletic are suggesting that Rodriguez could follow John Bostock as the only two additions in the East Midlands today.
Nottingham Forest lost their opening game of the season at home to local rivals West Brom and it is thought that further additions are required at the very last minute.
Their summer has been rather turbulent after the departure of former assistant manager Roy Keane which was followed by the sudden sacking of Martin O’Neill after just five months at the helm.
He was very quickly replaced by a relatively unknown manager in Sabri Lamouchi whose last job was an unsuccessful stint with Stade Rennais.
No more than ten new names have walked through the door at Forest including Arsenal right-back Carl Jenkinson and the loan arrivals of Manchester City shot-stopper Arijanet Muric and Wolves forward Rafa Mir.
A much-needed addition
Rodriguez would be a very welcome addition to the Reds’ defensive ranks.
The club currently only have one left-footed defender in Jack Robinson whose natural position is at left-back. At times last season and in the past, he has been deployed at centre-back in order to have a matching partnership in the heart of defence.
The signing of the 6 foot 2 defender would help stop that from occurring again in the future as he is a left-footed central defender.
Forest are awash with options at the back and it was 22-year-old Joe Worrall that received the nod next to Michael Dawson in that West Brom defeat.
But the pair of them are both right-footed meaning the left central defensive position isn’t as strong as it could potentially be, something new boss Lamouchi clearly wants to resolve before time runs out.
Rodriguez has made 45 appearances in the Spanish top-flight which in terms of quality is some way above the English Championship but fell out of favour last season, starting just 13 games in the league.
His addition would be most welcome at the City Ground if not for the duties of Robinson at left-back but for the whole balance of their backline.
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