Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner has stated that key players, including star attacker Morgan Gibbs-White, will not be leaving the club. Glasner emphasized this commitment following a 2-0 friendly victory over French side Brest, where goals from Chris Wood and Luca Netz secured the win.
Many of Forest's regular starters, including Gibbs-White, participated in a separate behind-closed-doors friendly against Coventry, which the team also won 2-0. This strategic division of players allowed Glasner to test different lineups and tactics while keeping his core group engaged.
Glasner addressed speculation surrounding Gibbs-White's future, stating, "It was clear after selling Elliot Anderson that none of our starters will leave the club. That's a commitment from the ownership and no player has asked to leave the club." He further clarified that Gibbs-White's departure was "never a topic" and that there was a mutual understanding to prioritize success.
System and Player Roles
Glasner appears to be leaning towards a 3-4-2-1 formation. In this system, wing-backs are expected to play a significant role in the team's attacking strategy. Luca Netz, who scored Forest's second goal against Brest and won the penalty for the first, demonstrated his potential impact. The manager indicated that players like Neco Williams, the first-choice left wing-back, could thrive in this setup.
On the right flank, Ola Aina is the current starter, but Glasner is reportedly seeking a more dynamic and durable option. The team also saw new signings Xaver Schlager and Ousmane Diomande feature, with Glasner praising Schlager's immediate impact.
Squad Adjustments and Future Business
The manager also highlighted the club's bloated squad, indicating that further player departures are expected before the transfer window closes. Glasner stated, "It makes no sense to go into the season with 26 outfield players, especially when we do not have European football." Players like Dilane Bakwa, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Eric da Silva Moreira, and Morato are potential candidates for transfer, with Zach Abbott possibly heading out on loan.
Regarding the striker position, Chris Wood scored from the penalty spot against Brest. However, Igor Jesus is currently seen as Glasner's preferred No. 9. The club is also reportedly pursuing another striker, with a long-standing interest in Chelsea's Liam Delap. Glasner mentioned that the club has "two or three additions in the pipeline."
Unresolved Sponsorship
Nottingham Forest is still without a front-of-shirt sponsor for the upcoming Premier League season. Their previous deal with Bally's, a bookmaker, was for the 2025-26 campaign. With new regulations prohibiting betting companies from appearing on the front of shirts, the club is actively seeking a new main shirt partner ahead of their opener against Leeds United next Saturday. The club also faces the potential absence of captain Ryan Yates due to a minor issue.