Daryl Murphy could have an uncertain future at Nottingham Forest after struggling for form and playing time last season. The 36-year-old hardly started a Championship game in 2019, was short of goals throughout the campaign and may find himself low down the pecking order due to stiff competition from Lewis Grabban, Karim Ansarifard and Tyler Walker.
Murphy made 32 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring and creating nine goals. In the Championship, he scored only twice since August and didn’t make an assist after January 2019. The Republic of Ireland international started just three of Forest’s last 10 league games and was an unused substitute on two occasions.
With the veteran striker averaging one goal every seven league games, Martin O’Neill should consider moving Murphy on and signing a superior replacement. The 36-year-old has 12 months remaining on his deal at the City Ground and is unlikely to be retained past 2020.
He’s been useful at times, winning 119 aerial duels (51%) and creating 16 chances last season, but Forest need a better calibre of striker to push for promotion in 2019/20.
Whether O’Neill considers selling Murphy remains to be seen, however. If the centre-forward doesn’t have any suitors this summer, he may see out the final year of his contract at the City Ground.
