Ben Brereton fires timely reminder to Aitor Karanka on international duty

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England defeated Turkey 3-2 in their opening game of the European Championship’s yesterday, with one Nottingham Forest player catching the eye. Ben Brereton raced onto a perfect through ball by Sunderland’s Elliot Embleton to slot home a cool right-footed finish, scoring England’s second goal in the process.

Nottingham Forest are well aware of the 19-year-old’s talents. He burst onto the first-team scene at the City Ground in the winter of 2017. After scoring an injury-time winning goal against Aston Villa, he soon became a fan favourite at Nottingham Forest.

He went on to win the Championship Apprentice of the Year award and hope was high for his first full season at the City Ground.

But, as is to be expected, last season was a struggle for Brereton. He managed just six goals in 39 appearances, with his lack of experience at this level impeding his ability to find the net regularly.

To be fair to Brereton, Forest were not exactly the most creative team last term. Particularly under the guidance of Aitor Karanka, they struggled to score goals.

That has seen the likes of Lewis Grabban and El Arbi Hillel Soudani both signed this summer to bring goals to the Forest attack.

Brereton may, therefore, play less of a role next season and that could be exactly what he needs. The pressure of being the side’s main goalscorer at such a young age could not have helped him in his pursuits last term. With more experienced players ahead and around him it will be no surprise if next season is a far better one for the Forest prodigy.