Nikola Milenkovic

Milenković treats every set piece as a genuine chance to score rather than just a moment to defend, attacking the ball in the air with the same intensity he shows clearing his own box. That physical dominance has made him a regular scoring threat from corners and free kicks. It is an unusual weapon for a defender to bring to a team that otherwise relies on its forwards for goals.

The same aggression that wins him headers can also tip into recklessness, drawing him into confrontations that a more measured centre back would simply avoid. Forest supporters generally see that intensity as an asset rather than a flaw. It does raise the question of how he copes against a forward built purely for movement and pace rather than physical contests.