Jamie Carragher’s Premier League Team of the Season selections have undoubtedly raised some eyebrows, especially when it comes to his choices regarding Nottingham Forest’s standout performers. Many observers and fans alike have hailed Murillo as one of the best young defensive prospects in the Premier League this season, with his strong performances making him one of the cornerstones of Forest’s defense. Yet, in Carragher’s picks for his best XI, Murillo was notably absent, with Carragher opting to include his teammate Nikola Milenkovic instead. This has led to some questioning Carragher’s judgment, given Murillo’s rise as a top defensive talent, alongside the fact that his performances have been instrumental in Forest’s impressive run this season.
Murillo, at just 22 years old, has been steadily developing into one of the most promising center-backs in the Premier League. His physicality, composure under pressure, and aerial ability have made him an integral part of Forest’s defense, particularly in high-stakes matches. While a costly error against Everton might have slightly dimmed his shine, it does little to detract from his overall growth and importance to the team. Forest, aware of Murillo’s potential, moved quickly to secure his future by offering him a new contract and slapping a world-record price tag on him to ward off interest from several top European clubs. This move clearly reflects how highly Forest rates him, and the club sees him as one of the fundamental building blocks of their squad moving forward.
However, despite Murillo’s outstanding individual performances and his integral role in Forest’s defensive stability, Carragher made the decision to leave him out of his Team of the Season. Instead, he opted for Nikola Milenkovic, another key figure in Forest’s defense, alongside Virgil van Dijk. In a segment with GOAL, Carragher explained his selections, saying: “I’m going to go with Ola Aina at Nottingham Forest. At centre-back, I’m going to go with one of his Nottingham Forest teammates, Milenkovic. The centre-back next to Milenkovic likes to play on the left as well and his name is Virgil van Dijk.” While Milenkovic has undeniably had a strong season, with his consistent performances earning him recognition, Murillo’s omission from Carragher’s picks has understandably left Forest fans disappointed.
The argument in favor of Milenkovic over Murillo likely stems from Milenkovic’s overall defensive solidity and versatility. The Serbian center-back has been a reliable presence in Forest’s backline, showing the kind of consistency that top managers look for in a defender. His partnership with Murillo has certainly been a strong one, with both players complementing each other well. However, it’s important to note that Murillo has more than held his own this season, continuing to impress with his ability to read the game, recover the ball, and contribute to the attack with well-timed runs and passes. Although he did make a rare mistake against Everton, which led to a costly goal, this one lapse in concentration shouldn’t overshadow the incredible progress he has made as a young center-back in one of the most competitive leagues in the world. Forest fans may feel that Carragher’s decision to pick Milenkovic over Murillo was influenced by that moment, but it’s hard to ignore Murillo’s overall potential and what he brings to the team.
Carragher also made a point of highlighting his preference for Milenkovic playing alongside Van Dijk, a pairing that many would consider ideal for a Team of the Season. While that is a strong defensive partnership, it may seem like a missed opportunity for Murillo to be recognized as one of the top performers in the Premier League. After all, Murillo has been integral to Forest’s rise in the table, and his performances alongside Milenkovic in the heart of Forest’s defense have helped them become one of the most solid teams defensively in the league this season. The young Brazilian may have missed out on this particular honor, but his continued development and ability to adapt to the Premier League’s demands make him one to watch in the seasons to come.
However, it’s not just Murillo’s omission that has caused a stir. Another significant snub in Carragher’s Premier League Team of the Season comes in the form of the goalkeeper position. Matz Sels, who has been outstanding for Nottingham Forest this season, was left out in favor of Liverpool’s Alisson, who has undoubtedly been one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers for several years. But when you look at Sels’ statistical record this season, it’s hard to ignore his incredible form. As of now, Sels leads the Premier League in clean sheets with 13, and he has also prevented 4.1 goals more than expected, which places him among the best performers in the league. His shot-stopping ability has been key to Forest’s strong defensive record, and he has consistently been one of the busier goalkeepers in the Premier League, making numerous crucial saves to keep his team in games.
Sels’ performances have not gone unnoticed by those in the footballing community, including Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo, who has praised his consistency and leadership at the back. Many fans and pundits would argue that Sels’ numbers make him a strong candidate for the goalkeeper spot in Carragher’s Team of the Season. Yet, Carragher’s selection of Alisson appears to be more influenced by his performances in the Champions League, with Carragher citing Alisson’s memorable display away to PSG as the reasoning behind his choice. While that performance was undeniably impressive, it doesn’t account for Sels’ excellent league form, which has been more than enough to secure him a place among the Premier League’s best goalkeepers this season.
Beyond the statistical analysis, it’s clear that Sels has been the more active goalkeeper, making more saves per 90 minutes than Alisson and playing a crucial role in Forest’s defensive stability. While Alisson is undoubtedly a world-class goalkeeper, the fact that Sels has had to make more high-pressure saves in domestic games arguably gives him the edge in terms of consistency and impact in the Premier League. Carragher’s decision to prioritize Alisson over Sels could be viewed as a reflection of Liverpool’s overall stature and reputation, but for Forest fans, the argument for Sels to be included is certainly strong.
The omissions of both Murillo and Sels from Carragher’s Premier League Team of the Season may be frustrating for Forest supporters, but it should not overshadow the tremendous work that these players have done for the team this season. They have been integral to Forest’s impressive defensive record, and their individual performances have played a key role in helping the team climb the Premier League table. While Carragher’s picks may spark debate, there’s no denying that players like Murillo and Sels are deserving of recognition for their excellent contributions to one of the Premier League’s most improved teams. It’s only a matter of time before their talents are more widely recognized, and perhaps next season, both players will earn the accolades they truly deserve. For now, however, they will continue to focus on their own development, knowing that their performances are helping Forest establish itself as a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.