Story by
Morato's stats show that Nottingham Forest are letting the wrong defender leave
- Story by
- Morato's stats show that Nottingham Forest are letting the wrong defender leave
Morato 's stats from last season prove that Nottingham Forest would be better served letting Jair Cunha leave the club in the next 24 hours.
Forest manager Oliver Glasner has been reshaping his backline this summer and is set to sanction more exits before Tuesday's deadline.
Advertisement
Morato has been linked away from the club this summer and is believed to be closing in on an exit before the window slams shut.
Nuno Espirito Santo is keen on reuniting with the 25-year-old at West Ham , after they entered talks to hijack Roma's loan move.
He was better than fellow Forest centre-back Cunha in several key metrics last season, so Glasner looks to be making a mistake in selling Morato instead of his compatriot.
Cunha has been trusted ahead of Morato so far this season, but is yet to prove on the pitch that he should be a regular in Forest's backline.
Morato has proven himself as a better option for Forest than Jair Cunha
Advertisement
Morato has failed to appear in any of Forest's three competitive matchday squads so far this term, despite featuring regularly under four different managers last season.
The 25-year-old played 37 times across all competitions in his second City Ground campaign, with consistent appearances in their run to the Europa League semi-finals.
Cunha only played 15 times across all competitions, yet has appeared from the off in each of Forest's three matches this season.
Looking at their stats from 2025-26, it is tough to understand why Glasner is so keen to let Morato leave over Cunha, who was also linked with a loan away earlier in the window.
Advertisement
Morato was more of a threat in the opposing box, with a better xG and xA, while he also completed more long balls per 90 than his compatriot.
The West Ham-linked defender made more tackles, clearances and blocks per 90 than Cunha, while he was also dribbled past less on average too.
He won more ground and aerial duels per 90 too, and lost possession on fewer occasions, although Cunha won more interceptions and committed fewer fouls per 90.
Glasner's treatment of Morato seems misguided, especially considering that he is one of just two Reds centre-backs who are left-footed, and so is comfortable on the left side of a back three.
Advertisement
Sources: Millwall, Watford, Southampton and Hibernian chase Nottingham Forest star Zach Abbott Zach Abbott could join Morato in moving to the Championship
As Glasner plans a late reshuffle of his defensive options, Morato is not the only Forest centre-back who could leave on Deadline Day.
Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insiderthat youngster Abbott is attracting interest from a host of Championship sides, namely Southampton, Millwall and Watford, as well as Premiership club Hibernian.
Abbott is also yet to feature under Glasner this season, having made just 10 appearances in 2025-26.
