Nottingham Forest defender Nicolo Savona has opened up on his successful adaptation to life in the Premier League — and urged other young Italian talents, including Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, to consider following his lead.
The 22-year-old joined Forest late in the summer window from Juventus and, after a difficult start, has since become a key figure under Sean Dyche. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Savona said he is enjoying the challenge of English football and is thrilled with the progress he’s made since arriving at the City Ground.
Savona: “The Premier League is even more beautiful”
Savona admitted that the style and atmosphere of the Premier League exceeded his expectations.
“It’s even more beautiful,” he said. “There’s a completely different style than in Italy and a special, unique atmosphere. In England, there’s less tactics and more intensity — it’s a constant back and forth. Anything can happen at any moment. Serie A remains a difficult and important championship, a great tournament: last season was crucial for my growth.” — Nicolo Savona, via Gazzetta dello Sport
The former Juventus defender added that he has no regrets about leaving Turin, insisting he’s happy with his decision to embrace the Premier League’s pace and physicality.
“In football, as in life, sometimes you have to make choices,” he said. “I’m happy with mine. I thank my family and my agent Michele Puglisi for their support.”
Goal against Manchester United a career highlight
Savona scored his first goal for Forest in the 2–2 draw with Manchester United, marking one of the biggest moments of his fledgling English career.
“I watched it several times in the following days,” he said. “It was an incredible feeling to score against Manchester United at home, in front of our fans and my family. I felt on cloud nine. If it had been the winning goal, it would have been even more important, but in the end, we drew 2–2.” — Nicolo Savona
That moment, he explained, gave him confidence and reinforced his belief that he made the right decision leaving Serie A for the Premier League.
Savona recommends Premier League move to Kenan Yildiz
When asked about Kenan Yildiz — Juventus’ highly rated Turkish attacking midfielder — Savona encouraged his former teammate to test himself in England.
“I would recommend the Premier League to all the kids who love football. It would be difficult to say otherwise — so also to Kenan [Yildiz] and any of his teammates.” — Nicolo Savona
The Italian right-back said that the Premier League’s high tempo, unpredictability, and fan culture make it an ideal environment for young players to grow.
Savona thriving under Sean Dyche
After initial struggles, Savona has cemented himself as a reliable option in Dyche’s squad. He has featured in multiple defensive positions — right-back, centre-back, and even left-back — demonstrating the versatility that once made him a standout at Juventus’ academy.
The defender has now played 10 matches this season, logging over 400 minutes of action and earning praise for his energy, discipline, and tactical adaptability.
| Stat (2025/26) | Nicolo Savona |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 10 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Accurate Passes | 79% |
| Long Balls (Accurate) | 29% |
| Ground Duels Won | 53% |
| Tackles (per game) | 2.2 |
| Balls Recovered (per game) | 2.5 |
source: Sofascore – 11 November 2025
Our view: Savona proving his worth in England
FootballPlace believes Savona’s growing influence under Dyche is a testament to his adaptability. “Savona has gone from a fringe signing to a genuine first-team option,” he said. “He’s athletic, smart in duels, and comfortable on the ball. For a young player adapting to the Premier League, he’s made excellent progress.”
“It’s rare to hear a player so openly praise English football after leaving a top Italian club. His recommendation to Kenan Yildiz speaks volumes about how much he’s enjoying life at Forest.”
Key Insights
- Nicolo Savona says he’s “happy” after leaving Juventus for Nottingham Forest.
- The 22-year-old has become a regular under Sean Dyche after a tough start.
- Scored his first Premier League goal in a 2–2 draw against Manchester United.
- Savona praises the Premier League’s intensity and unique atmosphere.
- Encourages Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz to move to England for career growth.
What’s Next for Nottingham Forest?
After securing a win against Leeds United, Forest will face Liverpool next in the Premier League as they continue to build momentum. Savona is expected to retain his place in Dyche’s starting lineup, having earned the manager’s trust through his consistent performances.
For Savona, the focus remains on improvement and consistency. “We want to keep winning points,” he said. “Every game is a new challenge, but we’re learning and getting stronger.”
👉 Can Nicolo Savona help Nottingham Forest push into mid-table this season — and inspire other young Italians to follow him to England?
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