Wayne Hennessey from Burnley to Nottingham Forest: Is it a good potential move? Would he start? What does he offer? | OneFootball

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Football League World

·5 July 2022

Wayne Hennessey from Burnley to Nottingham Forest: Is it a good potential move? Would he start? What does he offer?

Article image:Wayne Hennessey from Burnley to Nottingham Forest: Is it a good potential move? Would he start? What does he offer?

Burnley goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has been linked with a move to Nottingham Forest this summer.

As per John Percy of the Telegraph, the 35-year-old is expected to join the Reds and follow Dean Henderson through the City Ground door.


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Hennessey was the clear number two at Burnley last season in the Premier League, deputising for Nick Pope and appearing just three times in all competitions for the Clarets.

With the above in mind, here at FLW, we thought we’d break down three key aspects of the transfer – Is it a good potential move? Would he start? And, what does he offer?

Is it a good potential move?

It depends which way you look at it.

Dean Henderson will be the number one at Nottingham Forest next season, but with Brice Samba’s future unclear, Hennessey would at least deputise.

It may well be the case that that is his role at Burnley in the Championship next season, too, in which case, a move to Nottingham Forest and the Premier League would be a good one.

However, it recently emerged that the shot-stopper was considering leaving Burnley in order to get first team football and boost his chances of playing for Wales at the Qatar World Cup.

In that regard, a move to Forest would make zero sense for Hennessey, as, with all due respect, he is unlikely to snatch the goalkeeping gloves and number one role from Dean Henderson.

Quiz: 24 facts every Nottingham Forest supporter should know about their club – Can you score full marks?

1 of 24

Article image:Wayne Hennessey from Burnley to Nottingham Forest: Is it a good potential move? Would he start? What does he offer?

What year were Forest founded?

1855 1865 1875 1885

Would he start?

No – he would not start.

Nottingham Forest have just loaned Dean Henderson in from Manchester United and although it has not been confirmed, there have been previous reports that the Reds were looking to include an option to purchase permanently as part of the agreement.

In that sense, Henderson is potentially their future, which already hands him a big advantage over the 35-year-old Wayne Hennessey.

Not only that, but Henderson is up and coming, and at this stage, arguably a better keeper than the Welshman.

Hennessey has not played more than half of the games in a Premier League season since 2017/18, since which Henderson has played two full seasons for Sheffield United and racked up 29 appearances for Manchester United.

Hennessey would be the clear number two option at Forest – providing Brice Samba departs.

What does he offer?

As a number two, Hennessey would offer a really solid and safe pair of hands.

At 35, the keeper is an experienced one, and although he has not played a lot of football in recent seasons, he is still able to step in and perform when required.

It should be noted, despite his lack of football in recent years, recently, he has reclaimed the number one role for Wales, playing in both the semi-finals and final of their World Cup qualification play-offs earlier this year.

It would not be a bad signing on Forest’s part at all, I just don’t know if this move makes sense for Hennessey with the Qatar World Cup on the horizon, and the opportunity to be the number one for Wales in the tournament in his hands at present.

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