Nottingham Forest already have their Neco Williams successor, he can be a star
Nottingham Forest already look to have the answer to their left-back woes on their books as Cuiabano shines on loan in Brazil.
Oliver Glasner is facing uncertainty over his future at Forest following their disappointing start to the campaign.
He is failing to get the best out of their key players, with 2025-26 Player of the Season, Neco Williams, struggling for form as a left wing-back.
Williams, who was heavily linked with a move away from the club in the summer, lacks real competition for his place as Luca Netz struggles to make his mark as his back-up.
Forest could well be in the market for a new left-back soon, but the answer to their issues looks obvious as Cuiabano impresses in his home country.
The 23-year-old Reds loanee is yet to be given a real chance at the City Ground but clearly deserves the opportunity to fight for a spot in their side going forward.
Cuiabano shining in Brazil as Nottingham Forest lack left wing-back alternatives
Cuiabano joined Forest from Botafogo in September 2025, signing a four-year deal, but was immediately loaned back to his old club for the remainder of the Brazilian campaign.
The Reds saw fit to loan him out again in January, as he joined fellow Serie A club Vasco da Gama, and the 23-year-old has continued to make a real impression in the Brazilian top flight.
He has registered five goal contributions in 20 Serie A appearances so far, and ranks highly for several key metrics among his fellow full-backs.
Cuiabano is in the 89th percentile for assists per 90 (0.25), 94th percentile for line-breaking passes per 90 (4.71) and 87th percentile for chances created per 90 (1.74).
He is also in the 96th percentile for duels won per 90 (8.74), 94th percentile for aerial duels won per 90 (2.36) and 95th percentile for defensive contributions per 90 (9.55).
The Forest loanee has been one of the best players in his position in his respective league, and it surely makes sense for Glasner to offer him a chance to impress when he returns to the club in January.
What could be next for Cuiabano?
Glasner has a decision to make regardless, with the 2026 Serie A campaign ending in December as Cuiabano then returns to the City Ground for his next challenge.
The possibility of another loan with Vasco has been mooted by national publication Globo Esporte, after club president Pedrinho told Cuiabano that keeping hold of him is one of the board’s “priorities”.
They also claim that numerous Saudi Pro League clubs have been monitoring Cuiabano’s situation, and he has been scouted in action.
It would surely make little sense for Forest to let him leave again in the new year, either permanently or on loan, without at least seeing if he has the quality to take Williams' place in the team as a naturally left-footed wing-back.