Nottingham Forest are firmly in the race to finish the season in a playoff spot, with the Reds particularly enjoying the goals of forwards Keinan Davis and Brennan Johnson this term as well as Lewis Grabban who has been sidelined for the past two months.
Davis (four), Johnson (14) and Grabban (13) are amongst the attackers who have netted the most this season for Steve Cooper’s side. However, fortune with forwards hasn’t always been the case at the City Ground, with Nicklas Bendtner an excellent example.
The former Arsenal, Juventus, and Wolfsburg striker came to the City Ground on a free transfer in September 2016, with the 81-cap Dane’s market value standing at £900k at the time.
Bendtner’s arrival would’ve certainly excited and intrigued the Forest faithful given the forward’s pedigree, however, the move was a major failure.
In 17 appearances, the now-retired former Denmark international scored just twice as well as registering two assists, meaning that each goal was worth £450k according to his market value. The forward would then go on to join Norwegian side Rosenburg in March 2017 before the end of the season.
Bendtner’s peak value stood at £9m in August 2010 whilst at Arsenal but, within under seven years, had decreased by 90%. With that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise to see him dubbed a “flop” by journalist John Cross.
Soon after the move to Rosenburg, Bendtner’s market value did increase slightly, rising to £1.08m in December 2017 but within two years, having moved to FC Copenhagen in 2019, the 34-year-old’s worth fell by 67% to £360k before announcing retirement. Having been nutmegged by a 48-year-old coach in training, perhaps it was for the best that he hung up his boots.
It’s no secret that the former footballer struggled dealing with the lifestyle and fame, stating in an interview with The Guardian in October 2020: “There’s definitely some regret I didn’t take my career in a more positive way.
“Looking back definitely made me upset because there are moments which were very hurtful and difficult to talk about. But I couldn’t just write another sports biography where I was praising myself. Luckily I trusted Rune completely and could open up and say: ‘There’s only one way I can do it and that’s with complete honesty.”
Whilst Bendtner was at the City Ground, Forest were battling relegation and could’ve really done with more goals from the Dane, with the Nottinghamshire outfit finishing 21st to narrowly beat the drop to League One.
Since the striker’s departure, the Reds’ fortunes have certainly improved, finishing 17th twice, ninth and seventh with the side, now managed by Steve Cooper, well in the mix for a playoff spot.
It was certainly a disappointment that a player who had been on the books at numerous top clubs couldn’t help Forest, however, given his lack of goals away from Arsenal, it was undoubtedly a risk that, eventually, didn’t pay off.
In other news: Imagine him & Grabban: Forest must swoop for £10m ace who’s “absolutely unplayable”