How a CAS decision kickstarted Forest's summer

Amongst the Forest fanbase, despite the signigs of Dan Ndoye, Angus Gunn, Jair Cunha & Igor Jesus, was an underbelly of anxiety. However, following admission to the Europa league, transfer talk has ramped up, and Nottingham Forest are shocking the Premier League with their moves.

Impressing a Premier League fanbase is not easy. Even with Forest achieving Europe, the "what if" of Champions League football still lingers in the air even today - but now, the club are writing a new chapter. Despite some worries, with the business being done, European football being sustained should absolutely be a target, either through league position, or winning a trophy. 

Earlier this week, CAS (independent Court of Arbitration for Sport) decided that Crystal Palace had breached Multi-Club Ownership (MCO) rules - as stated in Article 5 of the UEFA European competitions rule book. Therefore with this ruling, Nottingham Forest were admitted to the Europa League, and Palace demoted to the Conference League. And while of course the bitterness surrounding this situation will persist for the rest of time, the simple fact is: John Textor was deemed to have decisive influence over Palace in some form by CAS, and therefore broke the rules, as he is a majority shareholder in fellow European side Lyon. Forest requested updates on the situation, as any team potentially in for more competition money and audience would. While there is outrage, and I too agree with the premise of frustration with Palace not achieving Europa League on merit, the idea of blaming this on Forest is rather strange. Forest have no administrative impact or control over Crystal Palace football club - and that is the matter closed. Hopefully the two fanbases can repair relations, and the two clubs, and fight against something large and more threatening - a league with sever privilege for "bigger clubs" determined by unfit PSR rules, which affects clubs like Forest, Palace (etc) the most. But that is an article for another day.

Why has the ruling spurred a huge influx of transfer news?

Firstly, it is best to note that a lot of the deals being mentioned were already underway before the ruling was made, but Forest likely stalled any addressing of the media until after the CAS decision. Keeping a low-profile during legal proceedings, and waiting for the final decision, even though the club were confident it would fall in their favour.

Now, a £100m+ spending spree is underway, and it could be the most promising window for the club yet. So far - and the fee's are total, and likely heavily-structured payments - Hutchinson (£37.5m), McAtee (£30m), Kalimuendo (£26.5m) & Douglas Luiz (Loan to Buy). These are the links, as presented by the likes of Ornstein, Romano, Percy, et al. 

Previously, I do feel their was a narrative for money Forest would spend, based on that hectic entry to the Premier League which saw 30+ signings (and by the way it sort of worked out). While some will still try to carry such a narrative, if you cannot look at the ages of the players being signed, the current quality, potential for higher quality, and experience of all these players, well, I suggest you rethink your football knowledge. These are serious signings, and while people will critisice Forest's ownership for whichever reason, they cannot fault his ambition and willingness to dig deep into his pockets to see his team flourish. In fact, most would give their...yeah, you get the idea. 

Perhaps the largest reason for all the news, which seemingly came over the space of an hour on Thursday, and erupted even further after, is the extra money. As per the New York Times any team qualifying for the Europa League gets £3.72m, with a further £389,000 up for grabs every time you win in the league phase. Tottenham secured £5m for their Europa League title win, alongside other money, and all in all are now guaranteed £21m as a result of securing Champions League football. Europe is where the money is at, and with guaranteed money, comes guaranteed financial security - which, in tern, offers clubs the chance to spend more, such as in this instance with Forest. Furthermore, a £55m* deal for Anthony Elanga increased their spending pot even further, and to be honest, with the players being signed, I do not think Forest fans will fear his loss as much as they had initially anticipated. 

More money from Europe, player sales, and of course a greater pull due to Europa League - all a perfect set of reasons for the influx of transfer rumours. To make things more interesting, Nuno still wants to sign another couple of fullbacks, so the work is nowhere near done yet! 

What does the calibre of the potential signings tell us?

It tells us Forest aren't simply trying to survive more matches with further fixtures in the league and in the continent. What it tells us is, Forest are on the hunt to prove they aren't "one-season-wonders" and wish to acquire Europe organically through the League once more, and showcase how powerful of a team they are. Teams that come up from the Championship should look at Forest, and have hope. Who would have thought that during the horrendous moments of points deductions, that cold nights loss at Elland Road in the first season, or after the sacking of Cooper, that Forest would be achieving Europa League football, and siging some of the hottest attacking prospects in English/French football? Well, one who dreamed it was Evangelos Marinakis, and through his unbounded backing, his dream is now a reality. While of course signings are not confirmed, there is a confidence all deals will be done by at least the start/middle of next week for the likes of McAtee, Hutchinson & Kalimuendo at least - Luiz could take slightly longer. 

 All have top-level experience, Kalimuendo in Ligue 1 - one of the best leagues for Premier League integration success - accrued 17 Goals & 3 assists in the league last season. £26.5m? Bargain. McAtee, Hutchinson, both young, homegrown - a huge factor - with experience in the league, and a high ceiling. Luiz, a star at Villa, damaged by his time at Juventus, coming home with a point to prove. If any club was going to get him back to his best, it would be Forest - their track record for doing so (Elanga, Hudson-Odoi, etc) speaks for itself.

Experience, Quality, Potential, good age-profile, homegrown - all factors featuring in the sigings being made. A fantastic bit of work from the recruitment team if they pull all this off. Despite some earlier criticism from fans, they've proven themselves once again - credit to Syrianos, Ferreira, Wilson, Edu, the scouts, and everyone involved.

The even more exciting part? Forest can afford all this, and I will say it again, it isn't over.

My Thoughts on everything

Has my prediction for this season been altered at all? Absolutely, yes. I thought maybe Forest will finish around the 10th place area. Now? While not a dramatic rise, I am putting them at 7th. The European places will be tough to break into, with the "big six" spending almost £1bn between them, but I think Forest are showcasing that mid-table isn't their aim. They want more. The signings being made absolutely reflect that.

As a fan since birth, introduced by my dad, often forced to watch some horrendous football growing up, the idea we would be signing players with the pedigree those targets have is genuinely incredible. To say I am excited, is an understatement; the sort of signings you make on a Football Manager save and brag to your mates about at work. But in real life? I mean, great minds think alike, right? Kidding, but seriously, what a time to be a fan.

Even neutrals are praising Forest's work. I have said for a while, the less noise, the better. Especially after the Gibbs-White debacle, and the Palace court issues, but the kind of noise Forest are being associated with now is that of praise. Now Forest will hopefully quietly get on with their transfer work, and give Nuno a side he can really work further wonders with this year.

Finally, a note on contracts. Often we look at the "shiny" new signings as the best part of a window, but the contract work being done should also be praised. An improved deal for Sels, new long-term deals for Neco Williams & Ola Aina, and now Hudson-Odoi close to securing his future with the club, this is excellent news. Forest are building the house, and further securing the foundations - securing long-term and short-term success, and sustainability of such success. 

Thursday was one of the most exciting days ever being a Forest fan - the dreams we had as kids, in my generation, are being realised. Strap in, this summer is going to be a fun one!

P.S, on a side note, don't forget to follow the blog, share the work, and support this in any way you can - I really appreciate it. Thanks for reading, and see you next time!