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(Credit: Imago/Emirates FA Cup on YouTube)

Jonathan Burnett

Wed 20 August 2025 20:01, UK

Chris Wood and Matz Sels’ Nottingham Forest displays have been recognised as new competition arrives at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest picked up from where they left off last season with a 3-1 win over Brentford on the Premier League’s opening weekend, as Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side prepare to compete on several fronts.

Wood was at the double in the first half to score the opener inside five minutes, and his second strike came a defence-splitting pass from Elliot Anderson to underline his starting claims at the City Ground.

Wood‘s place could be under threat with the arrival of Igor Jesus from Botafogo and announcement of Arnaud Kalimuendo’s £26million move from Rennes on 18 August, but Forest’s starting striker spot is still Wood’s to lose.

Nottingham Forest are back in Europe for the first time in 29 years (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Forest’s surge up the Premier League table last season took players, pundits and fans alike by surprise, with their seventh-placed finish a huge improvement on the previous campaign’s relegation battle.

Wood’s displays have helped the Reds reach Europe for the first time in 29 years, and they’re set for the Europa League this season after being elevated from the Conference League in place of Crystal Palace.

Those displays were recognised by Wood and Sels‘ peers at the PFA Awards on Tuesday, with the Forest duo included in the 2024–25 Team of the Year alongside a plethora of Liverpool and Arsenal players.

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The New Zealand captain posted on Instagram on 20 August to celebrate his and Sels’ inclusion in an all-star team of the Premier League’s best players, and the Forest keeper responded with three ‘fire’ emojis.

Wood’s message said: “Proud to be voted into the 2024/25 PFA Team of the Year, and even more honoured to share the stage with my brother Matz Sels.

Great night with great people”.

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Football Insider Verdict

Although Wood netted 20 Premier League goals last season, Forest have taken huge steps to strengthen their attacking options ahead of their Europa League campaign with five new attackers signed already.

Debut goalscorer Dan Ndoye’s £34.6million switch from Bologna is Anthony Elanga’s replacement after his £55m move to Newcastle United, but Jesus and Kalimuendo provide direct competition for Wood.

The dual arrivals of Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee add further options in the final third for Forest, but after Wood, Ndoye and Morgan Gibbs-White all excelled in their Premier League opener, it remains to be seen how Nuno will manage his squad.

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