Alfa Semedo impresses the Nottingham Forest faithful
Alfa’s disastrous loan spell at Espanyol is beginning to look like a distant memory.
After failing to break into the Benfica starting lineup on a consistent level, he was permitted to leave the club - but only on a loan deal.
That in itself is telling; Benfica, who brought Alfa Semedo in from Moreirense after a stunning season with the Portuguese club, have high expectations for the 21-year old midfielder, and would be happy to take him back should his performance levels reach their expectations.
And, while his spell in Spain with Espanyol was disappointing, fans left unimpressed by what they saw from the Guinea Bissau-born central midfielder, it was always advised not to dwell on his half season with the La Liga outfit too much, with Semedo offering a range of highly impressive attributes that could make him a star.
Indeed, he is already starting to put in the right performances at his new club Nottingham Forest, and fans have been making it known. Circulating on social media, for example, was a last-ditch tackle by the defensive midfielder, an excellent challenge that stopped a goalscoring opportunity at source, and his celebration as if he had scored a goal of his own was undoubtedly endearing to the fans.
To see that passion and commitment for the side always does a lot to set you on your way to being something of a fan favourite, and if his early showings are anything to go by, he could be a very good acquisition by the Championship club.
Many even suggested that Semedo was the best player on the pitch in the clash with Nottingham Forest, high praise for a player making just their second competitive start in the English Championship. Here’s what some had to say about his performance:
Alfa semedo again looking the best player on the pitch. This guy is quality
— Owen Barry (@NFFC_owen) August 10, 2019
On another note, Alfa Semedo is the best midfielder in the championship behind Carvalho x
— Jack 🏴 (@JackElliott) August 10, 2019
My new favourite player... Alfa Semedo. Bossing it. #nffc
— Jonathan Antcliffe (@Jonny90nffc) August 11, 2019
And Wow, some player Alfa Semedo looks, you know, one of them “useless unknown players with no championship experience” 😂 well played today Forest. Cracking point! #NFFC
— James Robinson (@RobinsonJamesr) August 10, 2019
Alfa semedo is class by far the best player of on the pitch today played fantastic today #Nffc 🔴 pic.twitter.com/sF3CSrtjsg
— ohhhhhh tiago silva (@nffc1021) August 10, 2019
What a tackle from semedo!! Celebrates it like he scored too pic.twitter.com/vm4wAo38f6
— Clarkey ITK (@clarkeyyyyyy12) August 10, 2019
Alfa Semedo has certainly been the best performer of the three Portuguese-associated players brought into the club this summer. Tiago Silva has also played in both Championship games for Forest this season, though he has not quite made as quick a start as Alfa.
That is to be expected though, as it often takes a bit of time to acclimatise to a new league, particularly one as physical as the Championship.
Yuri Ribeiro, meanwhile, has been on the bench for both outings.
You can read more about all three acquisitions via this link here.
