Let’s be real for a second. If I told you a few years ago that Chris Wood would be spearheading a European charge and sitting in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, you probably would’ve laughed. It sounds like a FIFA career mode glitch. But here we are in 2026, and the big man from Auckland isn't just a "functional" target man anymore. He’s become a genuine problem for every center-back in the country.
For years, Wood was that guy. The "Plan B." The striker you buy when you’re in a relegation scrap and need someone to win a header at the back post on a rainy Tuesday in Burnley. People called him limited. They said he was slow. Basically, he was the human equivalent of a long ball—effective, but not exactly pretty to watch.
Then Nottingham Forest happened.
The Chris Wood Renaissance: More Than Just a "Big Lad"
The transformation under Nuno Espirito Santo has been nothing short of staggering. Most people think Wood just stands in the box and waits for a cross, but that’s actually what they get wrong about him. His 20-goal haul in the 2024/25 season wasn’t some fluke. It was the result of a system that finally understood how to use a 6'3" powerhouse who actually has a deceptive bit of pace and clinical movement.
Look at the stats. In that breakthrough 2024/25 campaign, he wasn't just scoring headers. He was rounding goalkeepers. He was hitting volleys. He was even chipping keepers like he was prime David Villa. He finished that season with 20 goals and 3 assists in 36 appearances. That’s elite. We’re talking about a guy who was competing with the likes of Erling Haaland and Mo Salah for the Golden Boot for a huge chunk of the year.
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He’s currently sitting on 91 Premier League goals. Think about that. He is just nine goals away from the legendary "100 Club." When he hits that mark—and he will, provided this knee injury from the New Zealand international break clears up—he’ll be joining a list that includes Alan Shearer, Harry Kane, and Thierry Henry. Not bad for a kid who started out at Cambridge and Hamilton Wanderers back in New Zealand.
Why defenders hate playing against him
Honestly, it’s a physical nightmare. If you’re a defender, you can’t win. If you get tight to him, he rolls you. If you drop off, he wins the flick-on for players like Morgan Gibbs-White or Anthony Elanga to run onto. He’s currently winning about 2.5 to 3 aerial duels per game, which is top-tier for the Premier League.
But it’s the "off-the-ball" stuff that Nuno loves. Nuno’s system at Forest relies on a striker who can press from the front and make those unselfish runs that drag center-backs out of position. Wood averages 1.2 ball recoveries per 90 in the opposition half. He’s working his socks off. He isn't just a static lighthouse in the middle of the pitch; he’s a mobile, high-intensity focal point.
The New Zealand Legend Nobody Saw Coming
Back home in Aotearoa, Woodsy is a god. He’s already the all-time leading scorer for the All Whites with 45 goals. But it’s the way he’s carried the flag in England that’s truly impressive. Before him, you had Ryan Nelsen and Wynton Rufer, but Wood has arguably eclipsed them in terms of sheer Premier League longevity.
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His journey hasn't been a straight line, though. Far from it.
- The Loan Specialist: He went on loan to six different clubs (Barnsley, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol City, Millwall, Ipswich) while at West Brom and Leicester. He was the ultimate journeyman.
- The Leeds Explosion: He finally found his feet at Leeds United, banging in 41 goals in 83 games.
- The Burnley Years: This is where he became a household name, scoring 49 goals and helping Sean Dyche’s side punch way above their weight.
- The Newcastle Blip: Let’s be honest, the £25 million move to Newcastle didn't quite work out. He only scored 4 league goals there. People started writing him off. They said he was "past it."
And that brings us to Forest. When he joined initially on loan in 2023, the fans weren't exactly over the moon. There were groans. But since then? He’s basically become a cult hero at the City Ground.
The injury situation in 2026
Right now, things are a bit tense. Wood picked up a knee injury while on international duty with New Zealand in late 2025. It’s been a blow for Forest because, as much as they like Igor Jesus, they miss that veteran presence.
Sean Dyche (now back in the mix and commenting on his former player) recently mentioned that Wood is seeing specialists for follow-up scans. The good news is that it seems to be progressing well. He’s 34 now, so recovery takes a bit longer, but he’s never been a player who relied on explosive sprint speed anyway. His game is built on intelligence and strength.
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What's Next for the Kiwi King?
The mission is clear: get fit and get those nine goals. Joining the 100 Club would be the ultimate "I told you so" to everyone who called him a Championship-level striker.
If you're following Forest's progress or just looking at Wood for your fantasy team, keep an eye on his return date. He’s the kind of player who hits a purple patch and can’t stop scoring. He isn't flashy, he doesn't do step-overs, and he probably won't win a Ballon d'Or. But in terms of pure, old-school striking ability, Chris Wood is one of the best we've seen in the modern era.
Actionable insights for fans and analysts:
- Watch the "In-Box" Movement: Next time you watch Forest, don't watch the ball. Watch Wood. He loves to "hide" on the shoulder of the furthest defender before darting across the front post. It’s a masterclass in poaching.
- The 100-Goal Countdown: Set a notification. Once he hits 95, the media hype will go into overdrive. He’ll be the first-ever New Zealander to hit the century mark in the world’s toughest league.
- Contract Watch: With his contract situation always a topic of discussion given his age, see how Forest manages his minutes upon his return. They’ll need to balance his experience with the youth of the squad if they want to maintain that top-seven status.
Wood has proven that being a "traditional" striker isn't a dead art. It’s just evolved. And right now, he’s the one teaching the lessons.