Nottingham Forest winger sent ‘Champions League’ message after achieving milestone
Nottingham Forest winger sent ‘Champions League’ message after achieving milestone
Winger Jota Silva has been told there is no limit to the impact he can have for Nottingham Forest.
The summer signing bagged his first Premier League goal last weekend when he put the final seal on the Reds’ 7-0 destruction of Brighton and Hove Albion. The match carried extra significance, too, as it was Jota’s 250th career game.
The 25-year-old reaching such a milestone was a source of pride for Portuguese side Sousense, where he started out. And club president Pedro Carvalho is certain the best is still yet to come from Jota as he continues to adapt to English football and looks to help Nuno Espirito Santo’s third-placed side clinch European football this season.
“I have no doubt that he will make a name for himself in the English league and have a remarkable career in international football,” Carvalho said of Jota. “But it’s difficult to draw a line under someone who has such a strong mentality, that of a predestined player, and a career of constantly overcoming obstacles.
“Jota is a great player, he’s got soul and charisma; he’s an inexhaustible well of energy. Throughout his career he’s exceeded the goals that have been set for him and so the sky’s the limit, to quote the famous expression. With a career like this, nobody dares to say Jota won’t make it from here, because they risk being denied.
“His short-term goals will certainly be to establish himself as an undisputed starter at Forest and increase his contribution in terms of goals and assists. In the medium to long term, it will be to make his debut in European competitions. Playing in the Champions League is undoubtedly a goal of his, and to be called up to the national team again so that he can make his scoring debut for Portugal.”
Jota had two spells with fifth division side Sousense as he climbed the football ladder in his native Portugal before his move to the City Ground from Vitoria Guimaraes. He has spoken about how testing himself in the top tier of English football was always a dream.
“I couldn’t be prouder,” Carvalho said of his former charge reaching 250 games. “Jota is practically an ambassador for Sousense, for our training and for our values.
“He’s someone who is part of the Sousense family and, of course, we’re extremely happy with every goal he overcomes and with the success he achieves. His journey is the fulfilment of the dream of being a footballer that is shared by so many young athletes around the world. To see one of our own, a boy who started his journey here at the age of 11, achieve it and feel that we have been part of his growth is the most rewarding thing a training club can ask for and aspire to.”
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