Nikola Milenković

Key strength: Aerial dominance

Defensive anchor

With Nottingham Forest languishing in 17th place and survival hanging by a thread, Nikola Milenković has emerged as Nuno Espírito Santo's immovable fortress. The 28-year-old Serbian centre-back has been the definition of iron durability this campaign—logging a staggering 3,751 minutes across 43 appearances, barely missing a heartbeat all season. While his modest return of one goal and one assist won't dominate highlight reels, Milenković's €28 million market value reflects something infinitely more precious in a relegation scrap: granite-cold consistency. Partnering with Murillo, the Serbia international marshals Forest's backline with commanding aerial dominance and 70-rated defensive prowess, maintaining remarkable discipline with just six yellow cards and zero dismissals. Forest's recent DLDWW form shows flickers of hope, and Milenković's ever-present presence provides the defensive bedrock upon which any survival bid must be built. As the battle to avoid the Championship abyss intensifies, this Serbian sentinel stands as the last line of defense between Nottingham Forest and the drop.