As risk-averse as they come for most of his career, Nuno Espirito Santo has suddenly started behaving like an impulsive gambler who sticks everything on red.
As though calling out Nottingham Forest’s transfer policy on the eve of the season were not hazardous enough, now Nuno has decided to leave most expensive signing in the club’s history kicking his heels when they embark on their first European campaign this century.
Daily Mail Sport revealed on Wednesday afternoon that Omari Hutchinson, bought for £37.5million from Ipswich last month, was at high risk of being cut from Forest’s Europa League squad. Never mind the heavy investment: Nuno has determined that he will not need the promising attacker for at least the first half of Forest’s campaign.
Due to UEFA regulations, clubs cannot simply register every player on their books and when the list was published in the evening, the story was confirmed.
Hutchinson had missed out along with Oleksandr Zinchenko, a last-minute loan signing from Arsenal.
We will not hear from Nuno until next week but he was due to hold talks with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis before the Premier League resumes on September 13. These decisions will surely be high on the agenda.
Nuno Espirito Santo left club record signing Omari Hutchinson out of his Europa League squad
Hutchinson only joined the club a few weeks ago and his exclusion may raise major eyebrows
Why were Hutchinson and Zinchenko left out?
Forget the context and the Hutchinson snub does not seem such an illogical call. Hutchinson is unproven at the highest level and, with Nuno needing to retain a balanced squad, he can easily argue that the six forwards chosen offer more.
Yet how many coaches overlook a club-record signing, whatever the circumstances? Daily Mail Sport understands the Hutchinson deal was driven by Edu, the former Arsenal transfer chief who is now Forest’s global head of football, and his recruitment team, rather than requested specifically by Nuno.
Zinchenko was being offered to clubs by Arsenal throughout the window and Forest eventually made the move, though it is unclear who was the principal force behind it.
Ignoring Hutchinson, though, sends a clear message to the Forest ownership – however much Nuno may argue this was not his intention. It would be easy for an outsider to interpret it thus: ‘You sign who you like, but I’ll pick the team, thanks.’
Even allowing for that, the Zinchenko decision looks baffling. The 28-year-old has won 10 trophies in his career and made 44 European appearances. He is also versatile and tactically flexible. Ideal for a side with limited European experience, surely?
During the summer, Nuno is thought to have struggled to adapt to the fresh structure which has made Edu one of the most powerful figures in Marinakis’ group of clubs – Olympiacos, Forest and Rio Ave, in Portugal.
It is unfair to judge Edu until we see how Forest’s new signings adapt and the Brazilian has tried to remain in the background by staying away from Forest’s training ground in recent times.
One thing is certain: if Nuno cannot make this new group work, Marinakis will find a coach who can.
The Hutchinson deal was driven by Edu, the former Arsenal transfer chief who is now Forest’s global head of football, and his recruitment team, rather than requested specifically by Nuno
He was left out of the squad alongside Oleksandr Zinchenko, Forest’s new loan signing
What is Nuno’s thought process?
Whereas some modern managers will speak regularly to players to reassure them or explain certain decisions, Nuno is old school. Think teacher/pupil rather than uncle/nephew. Though highly respected, Nuno is not the players’ friend. Those who knock on his door seeking to understand why they have been left out may return none the wiser.
Hutchinson is thought to have been left shocked by his exclusion. Used to an attentive manager in Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna, Hutchinson has found he is just another player at Forest and is having to adapt – not easy for a 21-year-old with relatively little Premier League experience and a high price tag.
When a player joins for nearly £40m, he will naturally expect opportunities that reflect that investment. So far, these have not materialised – although Hutchinson still has plenty of time to force his way in.
Nuno spent time with his coaching staff this week at La Storia restaurant in Nottingham to celebrate the return of long-time ally Joao Lapa to his coaching team. At the end of last season, the Forest boss thought he would need 22 players of similar ability to allow Forest to push forward on four fronts.
Yet now he has such strength in depth, Nuno seems uncomfortable with it. The Portuguese has usually done his best work when he has a squad who know their roles – some are first-choice, some are back-up. Last season, players like midfielder Ryan Yates and defender Morato understood their status perfectly and made vital contributions.
That is not so easy with players who are accustomed to starting regularly for their previous clubs, especially if they join for big fees.
But Marinakis has not bought these players to have them sit on the bench or fill in for minor games. Though the waters have calmed at Forest since Nuno’s August outbursts, it will not take much to trouble them again.
Hutchinson is understood to be left shocked by the decision but it is early in his Forest career
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has not splashed the cash for these stars to sit on the bench
Does Nuno have a point?
Since way back in July, Daily Mail Sport understands the Portuguese has been expressing fears about the make-up of his squad and its ability to compete.
This argument is losing substance, though. Since Nuno’s explosive criticism of his ‘unbalanced’ squad was broadcast on August 15, Forest have signed nine players, including the cover Nuno had requested in defence and in goal.
Very few managers these days are presented with all the players they want, at the exact moment they want them. Look at the numbers and you will see only five clubs have spent more than Forest this summer, with even Manchester City and Real Madrid trailing in their wake.
Forest have also had significant wins in the window, like agreeing a new contract with Morgan Gibbs-White amid strong interest from Tottenham. Their bench for the 3-0 home defeat by West Ham before the break would have been envied by many coaches.
A politically-minded manager would have included Hutchinson in his squad because leaving him out sets multiple hares running, not least among the fanbase.
Nuno is a very intelligent man and has been in the game long enough to know this. His decision to do otherwise raises yet more questions at a club where the next pressure point is never far away.
