Joe Allen described Brennan Johnson's development over the last season as "incredible".
The 21-year-old spent the duration of the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Lincoln City and has enjoyed a meteoric rise since his stint with the Imps. Johnson was a key figure as Nottingham Forest gained promotion into the Premier League last term while he has also impressed at international level, scoring twice in 13 caps.
And Joe Allen admits Forest would have struggled to keep hold of Johnson had they remained in the Championship. "I have been so impressed with him," said the Swansea City man.
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"The rate at which he has developed in just the last season alone has been incredible. You look at the start of last season with Forest, and where they were at, and then how things ended. What a season he had. You couldn’t really ask for any more.
"For Forest, it was a good thing they did go up because looking at the way he played, they would have had a struggle on their hands to keep him. Nothing seems to faze Brennan. I think he is pretty fearless and I’m sure he’s confident he can make his mark in the Premier League.
"His pace if frightening. His ability to score goals is there and hopefully we’re [Wales] going to see that.
"The level of the Premier League is tough and I’m sure Forest’s first aim will be to stay in the league. They might not get as much joy as they had at times in the Championship, but Brennan will be looking forward to showing what he can do."
A number of Wales players have switched clubs ahead of the World Cup in Qatar later this year. Rob Page's men face the United States of America, Iran and England in November, meaning there will be little more than three months for players to get regular game time at club level prior to the global showpiece.
Rabbi Matondo and Tyler Roberts have secured moves to Rangers and Queens Park Rangers respectively while Neco Williams joined Johnson at Nottingham Forest after deciding to leave Liverpool on a permanent basis - with Wayne Hennessey also heading to The City Ground.
Joe Rodon's future remains uncertain, although it's understood he is eager to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer in a bid to feature more prominently elsewhere. But Allen is confident that the transfers to have taken place so far will only benefit Wales.
"I think it is a good thing," he said. "Hindsight would be nice, but hopefully all these players are making these moves to play more regularly.
"In an ideal world, you want all of your players who are going to be in that World Cup squad to be playing regularly and doing well at their clubs. There is a fair bit of movement and hopefully there are moves that makes sense and will help. All I’m concerned about is how it helps from a Wales point of view.
"I think the ones that have happened so far seem to suggest they will be. For a lot of younger lads who are at the bigger clubs, the pathway is tough as we all know.
"Neco Williams is an example of a player who is just too good not to be playing regularly. It’s as simple as that. I know we are talking about one of the best clubs in the world and the level of player in front of him makes it hugely difficult.
"Hopefully Rabbi can hit the ground running up at Rangers. He did pretty well out in Belgium last season.
"It will be interesting to see with Joe Rodon if there’s any movement there. Players getting a chance to be key players at their clubs would be really helpful for us."
Wales return to action against Belgium and Poland in the Nations League in September before the World Cup starts two months later.
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