Reading centre-back Nelson Abbey looks set to leave his hometown club to join Olympiacos in Greece and become part of the long-term plan for both the Greek side and Nottingham Forest under Evangelos Marinakis.
Manager Ruben Selles almost confirmed his departure in his press conference last week by saying, “a proposal has been accepted by the club.” This was said at the time of Luton Town being interested, but it was later reported that Abbey personally turned down that proposal. This report was followed by a rumour that despite the club accepting bids for Abbey, he was happy to stay and play for Reading - even if it meant playing for free!
Abbey is Reading through and through, as a local boy coming through the illustrious academy at Reading. Making his first-team debut just a fortnight after his 17th birthday, Abbey became the 63rd academy graduate to get his name on the Academy Honours Board outside the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
At just 20 years old, the English central defender has managed to cement himself in Reading’s starting eleven so far this season. Starting his first game, as captain, in a shock 4-0 victory against Millwall in the Carabao Cup.
Including his Millwall debut, Abbey has made 26 appearances this season with 13 of those coming as captain. His speed and strength have got Reading out of trouble many times in those games. Abbey tends to be the last man covering as attackers drive forward but is comfortable being forced into wide areas due to his experience playing as a full-back.
A presence in what has been a lacklustre Reading defence, Abbey on average only gets dribbled past once every five matches. He also averages completing more than 6 recoveries per game, proving his pace and power in defensive transition when coming up against opposition forwards.
Solid performances in Berkshire earned Abbey a call-up to the England Men’s Elite League squad, formerly the U20’s squad. The call-up secured him a place in the squad for games against Romania, Portugal, Italy, and Germany. A late cameo against Romania came before starts again Portugal and Germany.
With incomings looking limited due to financial restrictions, Reading are unlikely to be able to bring in a replacement for Abbey. In some ways, it is fortunate that it is a central defender to leave as this is a position where Reading have a fair amount of depth.
Summer signing Tyler Bindon has been Abbey’s main defensive partner this season, however, more recently Tom Holmes has stepped in and arguably improved that partnership. Holmes is on loan to Reading for the remainder of the season following his January transfer to Luton before being loaned back to the Royals.
Selles can also call on Tom McIntyre and Harlee Dean as further depth for central defensive areas. Alternatively, he may drag current starting left back Jeriel Dorsett centrally, as he has tried with Clinton Mola already this season.