Sangare showing promising potential

In a game set up for Forest's star players to shoot The Reds into the Champions League, at the heart of their intent and endeavour was 35 million record signing Ibrahim Sangare.

The Ivory Coast star is still short of 30 appearances, since arriving from PSV Eindhoven two summers ago. The club identified him as their No. 6, the final piece of the jigsaw, in establishing themselves back among the elite.

Initially, struggling with the pace of the Premier League, it was thought that time away at AFCON during that first season would be an ideal opportunity to regain confidence, in familiar surroundings.

In his native land, Ivory Coast won the competition. Things didn’t go to plan for the player. Sangare featured in the final but lost his place in the starting XI in the group stages.

Illness upon his return, a series of subsequent injuries and Forest's fantastic early season form this term has starved Sangare of much needed game time.

Following a loss of form in recent weeks, Nuno decided it was time for a change, turning to the player who splits the club's fan base, like no other! Returning to the side, game-on-game performance levels are improving and confidence is building.

An eye for a forward pass, a huge physical presence and a stride that glides around the pitch seemingly at ease, sets him aside from Forest’s other midfield options.

Against Chelsea’s strong running midfield and in a game with so much at stake, it was suggested that Sangare would sit this one out. Nuno didn’t see it that way.

Sangare quickly stamped his authority in the middle of the park, out-shining his more esteemed teammates and opposition talents of Palmer, Fernandez and Caicedo. Sangare’s dominance put Chelsea on the back foot. Struggling to match his physique and athleticism, The Blues' star trio looked subdued and passive.

In possession, that quick movement of the ball helped Forest become the aggressor, affording his potential match winning teammates more time to do their thing at top end of the field. Finding Anthony Elanga with the slide rule pass, broke the line on numerous occasions. A tactic Forest have relied on all season, an in form Sangare executes it better than any.

More noticeable was Sangare’s work out of possession, the most questionable part of his game until this standout performance. Up and down, side to side, chasing runners, tacking back, turning over possession at will, he didn't give the opposition a second to display their slick ball playing capabilities.

Head and shoulders the man of the match in the first half, Sangare looked every part the player that Reds fans have waited so long to see. Understandably, as the game wore on, a lack of match fitness kicked in, particularly after Chelsea had nudged in front. Sangare was eventually withdrawn.

With no like for like replacement or genuine attacking options Forest went on to lose, looking a lesser side for his departure.

Rating: 75/100