Ambitious Championship hopefuls Nottingham Forest reportedly held talks with Daniel Podence after he left Primeira Liga giants Sporting Lisbon.
There were plenty of Olympiakos players for the neutrals to keep their eyes on during Thursday’s 3-1 Europa League victory over Burnley.
Hull City fans will remember roving right-back Omar Elabdellaoui, centre-half Roderick Miranda is on loan from Wolves while Andres Bouchalakis, who scored Olympiakos second goal with a clever glancing header, spent last season at Nottingham Forest.
Though Bouchalakis is not the only player Forest fans should have kept their eye on, because the ‘one-that-got-away’ was in action against Sean Dyche’s side in Piraeus – and he impressed too.
According to Zero Zero, Forest held talks about signing Portuguese winger Daniel Podence after he terminated his contract with Sporting Lisbon. But, shortly after that, the 21-year-old signed a contract with Olympiakos instead.
And though Podence has plenty of rough edges and wasn’t exactly consistent with his end product, a lively and eye-catching display was enough to show why Forest wanted to bring him to the City Ground.
Alongside Constantinos Fortounis, who scored two and set up the other, Podence was the best player on the pitch on Thursday night. His movement across the attack was electric while his impressive ambidexterity was clear for all to see.
In short, Podence looked like the kind of speedy, intelligent and creative match-winning player that a Forest side, who have tasted victory in just one of four Championship games, are crying out for right now.
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