'Monster': Morato already impressed by £5.9m Nottingham Forest teammate after Chelsea
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Morato signed for Nottingham Forest on transfer deadline day as the Brazilian performer joined James Ward-Prowse in arriving ahead of the window slamming shut.
The centre-back is a left-sided option and was signed to act as a replacement for Moussa Niakhate who signed for Lyon for £25 million.
On Sunday, he came off the bench to help Forest see out a 1-1 draw against Chelsea after James Ward-Prowse had been sent off for a second yellow card.
Morato is pushing hard for a start in the team but as of yet, he’s not managed to make the starting eleven for a Premier League contest.
A host of new signings were added in the summer with two of them – Marko Stamenic and David Carmo – joining Olympiacos on loan straight away.
Forest played their part in an entertaining 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday and after his goal, Chris Wood was praised by Ally McCoist.
The role of the substitutes is proving a hot topic of discussion at the City Ground though with the strength in depth looking particularly good this season.
Morato hails Nottingham Forest teammate Jota Silva
Much like Morato, Silva hasn’t made a start for Forest in the Premier League yet either and he’s doing everything he can to impress Nuno Espirito Santo.
Silva came on against Chelsea on Sunday and once again he was lively and caused chaos to the home defenders.
In the final minute of stoppage time, Forest fans thought that Silva had won the game but Robert Sanchez produced an unbelievable save to deny him.
After Sunday’s game, Silva took to Instagram, posting: “We didn’t win, but we showed our identity. Passion, fight, belief and ambition. We’ll keep fighting. COYR.”
Morato responded to Silva by posting on his heartfelt message to the supporters. He said: “J Monstro. Vamos.”
The translation is essentially ‘You monster. Come on!”
Morato and Silva both highlight quality strength in depth at Forest
Not every signing that Forest have made from Benfica in the past has worked out.
Joao Carvalho cost £13 million and was often a debate topic among the fan base, whilst Diogo Goncalves barely played after signing on loan.
Odysseas Vlachodimos was another Benfica player who simply didn’t work out at Forest and has already moved to Newcastle for £20 million.
Now, Morato looks like he can break the chain of flop signings from Benfica, however.
What the defender is being asked to do right now isn’t easy, with defensive substitutions never high on a manager’s list of priorities.
He’s helped Forest see some big games out this season and his role has perhaps been a little bit underappreciated.
Silva is firmly knocking on the gaffer’s door.
He scored in the Carabao Cup against Newcastle and registered a first assist during a 2-2 draw against Brighton last month.
In every game, he’s been introduced as a substitute, he’s looked really positive and has showcased a real desire to earn a place from the start.
Silva is going to be a big player for Forest this season and it would be great to see him get the nod in the starting eleven after the international break.
