Speaking exclusively with BoyleSports , former Republic of Ireland defender and ex-Nottingham Forest coach Steven Reid has given his thoughts on his former club.
The former Premier League man has tipped Nottingham Forest to become a Champions League side by winning the Europa League under Nuno Espirito Santo.
Reid has given his assessment on Morgan Gibbs-White’s potential Spurs switch and the Palmer v Bellingham debate.
Can Forrest Balance Europa League?
I think they will be buzzing. I’ve got a good relationship with Crystal Palace. I coached there, and it’s a bit of a nightmare for them. But Forest will be delighted with the opportunity to get bumped up to the Europa League.
I always feel that with squads like Nottingham Forest now, the difficulty now is combining the Premier League with Europe. You look at the big powerhouses in the league, they can deal with it with big squads.
So sometimes that is a bit of a concern for teams like Forest, who have just crept into Europe. You can be travelling all over Europe, then back for the weekend for the Premier League.
European Dreams
I think Forest could win the Europa League. They showed last season against top-quality opposition they could compete. Nuno Espirito Santo has got them well organised, and with Matz Sels getting Golden Gloves, they are more than capable of competing against anyone.
Two major parts of that were Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White, two of their standout performers for the last few seasons. The way they played last season, sitting in and countering, lends itself to that pace. You saw them shine on the transition. So if they go, the key bit will be replacing those two, which won’t be an easy job.
Relegation Risk
The gap every year is becoming bigger and bigger from the Championship to the Premier League. Every club coming up now is just going to find it such a challenge. Look at Ipswich after spending all that money, then falling short. I think they’ll be fine in that respect, but with European competition and losing both of those players, it’s not going to be easy.
But you never know in the Premier League. They were a game away from relegation, then in the following season they went and got into Europe. I think they will be fine, but now it will be balancing those Thursday night games and replacing those two players. But what we have seen, and having been involved in it myself, is that they don’t mind putting their hands in their pocket and spending. I am confident that it will be alright.
Gibbs-White’s Tottenham Move?
I was interested that a couple of those clubs named in the past few years didn’t pursue Morgan Gibbs-White more. He’s been consistent, and his numbers have improved; and is a full England international now, too.
If you’re talking about the £60million release clause that we’re reading about, then I am surprised. It’s not even a punt, really.
If you look at how he’s performed over the past few years, it’s almost a no-risk signing. He’s creative, confident, and a leader. I’m not surprised it’s Tottenham. They won silverware even though they were disappointing in the league. But in terms of everything around the club, they are well in place now to compete with the stadium and training ground.
Maybe he just feels it’s time to change and challenge himself in a different environment. For me, I think there may be ‘that one’ at another point. If he carries on his form for the next year or two, it wouldn’t surprise me if he then moves again.
Could Gibbs-White Replace De Bruyne?
Manchester City have invested heavily in themselves again. Phil Foden was disappointing last season but is now finding a bit more form. He’s come out and said he’s had a few challenges, so you’d expect him to get back to his best. Plus, the new additions, they felt they were well-equipped.
But I am surprised there weren’t one or two others who didn’t throw their name in the hat for Morgan Gibbs-White as well.
Gibbs-White’s Release Clause Issue?
I wasn’t even aware of the release clause; it’s come about so quickly. It was almost a story from nowhere. I think there’s an issue, it seems, in how the club was made aware of the clause. I’m sure after losing Anthony Elanga, they would not have wanted to lose Morgan Gibbs-White as well.
It looks like they’re doing all they can to hold up the move, delay it or whatever it might be. But if there is that clause, it looks like there is nothing you can do about it.
Gibbs-White’s True Valuation?
My valuation would be close to the £60m being mentioned. Morgan Gibbs-White has been doing it at Premier League level, but Florian Wirtz is an established German international, doing it on the biggest stage.
But give Gibbs-White another season; he’s becoming more of an important player for England. Another season where he kicks on again, then you’re talking maybe £80m to £100m.
Look at Dominic Solanke last season for £60m. He had a great season at Bournemouth; that’s probably the level he’s at. The next level is stepping up and doing it again, getting those numbers into double figures for goals and assists, becoming a more established international. Then you’re looking at closer to £100m.
Palmer v Bellingham
When you look at systems now, they are so fluid. That’s been a big change in the last few years, where a lot of the time it’s any player filling any position.
“But watching Cole Palmer, it does look like he’s back to his old level. He was flying, then he dipped off a bit, and people were asking questions. In the Club World Cup final, with his composure and the two finishes, and it almost could have been a third, he looked like his old self.
They’re different players. I think Jude Bellingham is more of an all-rounder. He could even do the job sitting a bit deeper, whereas Palmer is more of an out-and-out 10 who you can give licence to in the final third. I think Bellingham is more of that box-to-box, bit of everything. I think they’re different players who can both play in the same team.
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