Nottingham Forest ace sold for only £4m is now one of the best in the world

Nottingham Forest conceded 67 goals in the Premier League last season, the fifth-highest number conceded in the division. Whilst this is one fewer goal than they conceded in the 2022/23 campaign (68), it is still one of the worst defensive records in the league.

This Forest side have made 28 signings in the past two seasons, making it difficult to establish a starting back four (back five including the goalkeeper), which in turn has seen the Tricky Trees struggle defensively over the past few years.

Forest’s number one goalkeeper, Matz Sels, made 16 appearances for the club after signing in January last season, keeping one clean sheet, and conceding 27 goals in 1,440 minutes played.

It’s safe to say he’s not quite as good as this famed stopper on Trentside…

How much Forest signed Brice Samba for

Fan favourite Brice Samba joined Forest back in 2019, signed from SM Caen for €2.10m (£1.7m). Samba had only made 49 appearances for the French side, conceding 66 goals and keeping 15 clean sheets, making a name for himself and earning his move to English shores.

The gloveman went on to make 133 appearances for Forest, keeping 45 clean sheets, conceding 124 goals, and totalling 11,995 minutes played. His best season by the Trent came in 2021/22, making 45 appearances, keeping 16 clean sheets and conceding 39 goals.

Samba made some huge saves for Forest, helping them in their Championship play-offs, even being called the “hero” after saving a penalty in the penalty shootout to beat Sheffield United, and progress to the Championship play-off final.

Brice Samba’s form in 2024

Since leaving Forest for only €5.00m (£4m), joining Lens in 2022, Samba has made 84 appearances for the French outfit, keeping 32 clean sheets, conceding 83 goals and totaling 7,590 minutes played.

Samba is now valued at €15.00m (£13m) by Transfermarkt, more than triple the value he was sold for only two years ago. Since then, Forest have signed Matz Sels, Matt Turner, and Odysseas Vlachodimos trying to replace Samba, as well as loan moves for Dean Henderson, Keylor Navas and Wayne Hennessey.