On 1 February last year Forest announced the signing of Matz Sels from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg for a fee of about £5m.
Matt Turner had joined from Arsenal for £10m in the summer before, while Forest also bought Benfica’s Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Turner made 21 appearances in all competitions and Vlachodimos seven, before Nuno – who replaced Steve Cooper in December 2023 – turned to Sels.
The Belgian new arrival managed just one clean sheet – against West Ham – and conceded 27 times as Forest survived.
However, with the addition of Milenkovic and Morato in defence over the summer, joining the impressive Brazilian Murillo at the City Ground, they now boast one of the tightest backlines.
“Forest will do well to keep hold of Murillo long term. He’s an unbelievable young player,” said Morgan, who is now a national scout at Forest, having played over 400 games for the Reds before switching to Leicester.
“Milenkovic has come along and just complemented him. Positioning between both players is good and I think that’s key to a successful defence.”
Morgan related it to the partnership he and Robert Huth had at Leicester, adding: “That understanding between me and Huthy, we could play with our eyes closed and I knew exactly where he was going to be. That’s the same for Murillo and Milenkovic.”
The defensive unit, including Sels, Ola Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Morato and Neco Williams has cost Forest just over £50m.
Along with Liverpool, Forest have conceded just 19 goals in 20 games – only Arsenal have shipped less.
“The championship is not over yet and we want to make sure that the number of clean sheets only continues to go up,” says Morato, underlining the determination within the squad, who have made the most clearances in the league – 563 – this season.
Sels has faced 259 shots, level with Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson, and only behind Brentford’s Mark Flekken with 342 and Mads Hermansen of Leicester who has faced 287.
Of the smaller number of shots within those totals that went on target, Sels has a save percentage of 75.3%, which is the highest of any goalkeeper who has played more than 500 minutes in the Premier League.
The expected goals against Forest this season – 21.7 – is also only beaten by Liverpool and Arsenal.
Sels’ impact has been instant. Since 1 February, Forest have conceded 46 goals in the Premier League, with only Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool bettering them.
