Nottingham Forest may have stumbled in their 3-1 defeat to Leeds United, but the clouds at the City Ground had one distinct silver lining: Lorenzo Lucca. The 6ft 7in Italian marksman needed only minutes to make his presence felt, nodding home a clinical consolation goal that showcased exactly what Sean Dyche’s side has been missing.
With a massive clash against bottom-of-the-table Wolves looming, the message is clear: the Lucca era must begin now. However, for Lucca to rise, others must fall starting with the struggling Igor Jesus.
The Igor Jesus Enigma
While Igor Jesus has been a revelation in the Europa League with six goals, his Premier League form has become a source of immense frustration. Against Leeds, the Brazilian was bullied, losing six of his eight aerial duels and failing to register a single chance created.
The Cold Hard Facts (25/26 Premier League):
- Starts: 17
- Goals: 2 (Underperforming his xG by nearly double)
- Key Passes: A dismal 0.3 per game.
Jesus’ lack of “end product” in domestic action is no longer sustainable. In a relegation scrap, Forest cannot afford a striker who is “below-par” when the stakes are highest.
The Abbott Liability
As disappointing as Jesus has been, the situation surrounding teenager Zach Abbott is even more critical. Thrown into the deep end at right-back against Leeds due to Neco Williams’ suspension, the 19-year-old looked out of his depth.
Forest podcaster Lee Clarke didn’t mince words, stating Abbott is “not ready for the Premier League.” The stats from the Leeds defeat back that assessment:
- Ground Duels Won: Just 2/7.
- Impact: Lost his man for Noah Okafor’s crucial second goal.
While Abbott is a “gem” for the future, his 67% duel loss rate in Europe and his physical struggles in the league suggest he is a liability Dyche can no longer afford to “protect.”
The Verdict: Cruel but Necessary
With Forest fighting for every point to avoid the drop, there is no room for sentimentality. Zach Abbott needs a loan move in 2026/27 to develop his physicality; for now, he must be taken out of the firing line in favor of experienced heads like Ola Aina or Luca Netz.
Similarly, Igor Jesus has had his chances. The City Ground needs a focal point that can dominate defenders, and in Lorenzo Lucca, they have a “monster” ready to lead the line. For Forest to survive, Dyche must be ruthless: Lucca in, the flops out.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
