OPINION
Nottingham Forest have recruited well in this summer’s transfer window, and it is safe to say that they have more midfielders than they will ever need.
That’s why it is puzzling to see boss Aitor Karanka do a u-turn on midfielder Ryan Yates, who was supposed to go out on loan before a last minute change of heart, according to the Nottingham Post.
The newspaper reports that Forest are to review his situation again in January, but it does not make sense to retain a midfielder that is rarely-used, and who will face stern competition for first team places due to the number of new arrivals.
Karanka must stop stalling on the decision concerning the 20-year-old’s future and bin him for good in January, as he offers absolutely nothing towards the club.
The 6ft 2in [Transfermarkt] player is wanted at the City Ground to continue his development, but with competition rife, the Reds are better off getting rid of him permanently.
He does not stand a very good chance of forcing his way into the first team anytime soon, meaning it would also be unfair on him to make him stay.
Yes, having a fair amount of depth in the squad is important, but Karanka already has enough of that due to the recent signing of Claudio Yacob and ex-Olympiacos player Panagiotis Tachtsidis.
Yates undoubtedly does not want to remain on the sidelines for a long period of time, so the wisest decision is to allow him to find another club in the next transfer window.
He may have had successful loan spells at the likes of Notts County and Scunthorpe United, but that does not mean he can replicate that at a club like Forest.
The Reds are obviously mounting a promotion challenge this season, so they will need all of their best players starring every week – but that does not include Yates.
He is not suited to playing in the Championship in such an important year for the club, and Karanka must stop stalling and make the right decision on his future.