Forest’s O’Brien impressed by technical skill of MLS players

Lewis O’Brien has given Major League Soccer a rave review in a recent interview with BBC Sport. The English midfielder is currently on loan at D.C. United from Premier League side Nottingham Forest. Despite playing just four matches for the MLS club so far, O’Brien insists that it’s not a retirement league.

“The standard is a lot better than people in England think,” stated O’Brien.

“People in the UK don’t watch it, so they will never know. They just assume it is where players go to retire or go at the end of their careers. It is not like that at all.

“Some of the players you have never heard of, but they are unbelievable. Technically, they are some of the best I have ever seen.”

MLS switch was plan B for O’Brien

O’Brien’s move to D.C. essentially helped revive the 24-year-old midfielder’s career. The Englishman was set to make a temporary switch to Blackburn Rovers during the January transfer window. However, the deal fell through because documents were not exchanged in time. To compound the issue, Forest signed Jonjo Shelvey, a player in O’Brien’s position, to fill out the club’s 25-man roster.

In stepped Wayne Rooney. The D.C United head coach grabbed O’Brien on a short-term loan in March. There is also a buy option attached to the player’s loan agreement with Forest. However, it certainly seems as if the Englishman is still hoping to prove himself in his home country.

Player still sees future in England

“I am really grateful to Wayne Rooney and D.C. United, but personally I want to prove I can be in the Forest team and I can play in the Premier League every week,” proclaimed O’Brien.

“I want to be the player they signed. I still watch all the [Forest] games and speak to some of the lads. It is tough. Any newly-promoted club will find it tough. It is almost a different game, not even football.

“Now it is head down and graft it out. It might be we finish one place above relegation. But you have to do what you have to do to stay up.”

O’Brien will remain in D.C. until at least July 16th. If the MLS club does not opt to buy the player, he will return to Forest after this date.

Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire