'He will improve': Nuno explains how 'special' Nottingham Forest star can get even better
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Nuno Espirito Santo believe the best may be yet to come for a ‘special’ member of his squad as Nottingham Forest prepare to travel to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
A scary thought, indeed.
And if there were any neutrals wondering just how integral he really was to Nottingham Forest’s prospects, the events of last week’s 1-0 home defeat to Fulham – their first loss of the Premier League season – said more than stats and figures ever could.
Shorn of the services of Morgan Gibbs-White following his red card against Brighton and Hove Albion, Forest were as blunt as an ancient butterknife as they tried and failed to fight back from Raul Jimenez’s opener at the City Ground.
So, with Nuno’s previously unbeaten side looking to bounce back and win at Stamford Bridge for the second time in 13 months, Gibbs-White’s return to the selection could conceivably be the difference between a second successive reverse and another famous triumph in West London.
Nuno Espirito Santo welcomes Morgan Gibbs-White back for Nottingham Forest
“Very important to have him back, a very special player for us,” Nuno said during his Friday press conference. “[With] his talent, the team relies on him to produce something.
“And it’s good to have him back, definitely.”
Gibbs-White averages more key passes and more shots per game than any other player in Garibaldi red.
Nuno is keen to avoid Forest being labelled something of a one-man team, however.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca hailed a ‘very good’ Nottingham Forest squad in his own press conference, and Nuno hopes to see Callum Hudson-Odoi, Anthony Elanga, Jota Silva, Ramon Sosa continue to ease the creative burden on Gibbs-White in the final third.
“[Our attack is] not only Morgan,” Nuno adds. “We are producing, creating a lot of situations because we have talented players and we have to release them and give them freedom to express themselves.
“And we expect [to do] that on Sunday.”
Forest boss explains how Gibbs-White can get even better
Despite his red card at The Amex, Gibbs-White was included in Lee Carsley’s latest England squad this week for the UEFA Nations League meetings with Greece and Finland.
Fresh from making his international bow against the Republic of Ireland in September, Nuno believes that a regular place in the England set-up – and the confidence boost that should provide – will light a fire under a player already burning red hot in Forest colours.
“He will improve because, if you play at the highest level, there is always a chance to improve,” explains the 50-year-old Iberian, Nuno working with Gibbs-White for the second time after their paths crossed at Wolverhampton Wanderers a few seasons ago.
“And Morgan is in this pathway to becoming a player that establishes himself in England and plays in major tournaments.
“At the same time the contribution he has for the team, these two things happening, he is happy. And, when he is happy, he is better.”
Gibbs-White scored five goals and set up 10 more in the 2023/24 Premier League.
Only Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and fellow England ace Cole Palmer – whom Gibbs-White will come up against at Stamford Bridge this weekend – managed a greater number of assists.
