The Nigeria international has recovered from injury just as Nottingham Forest’s season is coming to an end – one that should see them stay in the Premier League
Taiwo Awoniyi is already fielding concerns over his future at City Ground, having only recently returned to fitness and Nottingham Forest’s status as a surefire Premier League team for the upcoming season not nearly assured.
This season, Awoniyi—the lucky charm that propelled the team to safety the previous season—has played a bit-part role due to an injury that has limited him to just five minutes of football over the past two months. Fortunately, Forest has weathered another stormy season, and they will continue to play in the top tier unless they receive a very unlikely combination of results on the last day of play.
Following that, focus will shift to Nuno Espirito Santo’s team composition and the team’s initial aim to reduce size, since Forest was left bloated by their transfer trolley dash. It’s unclear if Awoniyi is even on the list of people who could leave.
That didn’t stop him from being questioned about his situation following Saturday’s loss to Chelsea; the interview was captured on camera and was made available online. When asked if he will still play for Forest the following season, the 26-year-old said yes.
“That’s a tough one; for me, I am definitely here because I am still under contract at Nottingham Forest,” he retorted. I play for Nottingham Forest at the moment.
The striker was more confident about the Reds’ chances of avoiding an unlikely comeback from Luton Town in the final game of the campaign: “I think for us, we’ll be there. We’ll be in the Premier League next season, but the most important thing is to win the next game.”
For Awoniyi that comes away to Burnley where the Reds need a point to be sure but even a defeat would require a 12-goal swing in goal difference for the unthinkable to happen.
Awoniyi still has three years left on the deal he signed when he moved to Forest from Union Berlin in June 2022. He has played 52 times and scored 17 goals.
