“I’m just another worker” – Nottingham Forest signing embraces senior role and stays humble

Nottingham Forest knew they were getting an experienced Premier League player when they signed Daniel Muñoz from Crystal Palace.

The thing is they also appear to have bought someone with a growing leadership role away from club football.

Muñoz is currently with Colombia and has been speaking ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Peru. At 30, he is now one of the more experienced players in the national team.

His comments this weekend certainly sounded like those of someone taking responsibility for the group.

Muñoz takes responsibility

Speaking to Colombia’s Caracol, Muñoz addressed Colombia’s disappointing results since the World Cup.

“The balance, perhaps in terms of results, isn’t so positive, but what we’ve seen from the inside, for me and the boys, is positive,” he said.

“It isn’t easy to come into the national team and do things well. We’re going through a process of change. We have to try, do things well, and these games are for that.”

Muñoz also defended the work taking place inside the squad.

“In the end, only we, who play football, and people who really know something about football understand it,” he explained.

“Explaining that to a fan is difficult. They’ll always want to win and want the national team to play well. So it’s more internal work. We have to do it ourselves and do it on the pitch.”

The Nottingham Forest man then spoke about helping Colombia’s younger players settle into the senior squad.

“The doors are always open. Those who arrive for the first time are given a warm welcome,” he said.

“This is a family that has been built with values and ethics, and you have to give them confidence.”

Another encouraging sign for Forest

Muñoz doesn’t appear particularly interested in giving himself the leader label. He does, however, accept that his experience brings responsibility.

“I’ve always considered myself just another one, another worker, working for the Colombian national team,” Muñoz said.

“Everyone has a different role, but having played at a World Cup and being one of the older players, you have to take that responsibility and set an example for those boys coming in for the first time.”

That is a nice extra for Forest. Muñoz was signed primarily for what he can provide on the right flank of course. And his Premier League experience meant there should also be little adaptation required after moving from Palace.

However, Colombia are going through a period of change and Muñoz is among those being trusted to help the younger players through it. He may call himself “another worker”, but he’s clearly aware that others are now looking towards him for an example.

That sort of character is a brilliant addition to what Forest paid for on the pitch.