CLUB SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Club | Nottingham Forest FC |
| League | Premier League |
| Manager | Oliver Glasner |
| Stadium | City Ground |
| Nickname | The Reds |
| Founded | 1865 |
| Record Sale | Elliot Anderson (£116m to Manchester City) |
| Key Signing | Xaver Schlager (free from RB Leipzig) |
| Internal Replacement | James McAtee |
| Captain | Ryan Yates |
The Defining Moment
Nottingham Forest’s midfield entered 2026/27 with a hole that no amount of tactical ingenuity could easily fill. Elliot Anderson, the England international who had been the club’s most influential player in 2025/26, departed for Manchester City in a deal worth £116 million. The statistics of his departure were staggering: he had the most touches, won the most tackles, and created the most chances of any Forest player in the previous campaign, contributing four goals and five assists.
The defining moment of Forest’s midfield summer came not in the transfer market, but in a decision made before the window even opened. Oliver Glasner was appointed as head coach, arriving from Crystal Palace with a reputation for intense high-pressing, energetic wing-back play, and a fluid 3-4-2-1 structure. The Austrian’s system demands midfielders who can cover ground relentlessly, win duels, and transition quickly. Anderson, for all his qualities, was a player of control and composure rather than relentless aggression.
The replacement strategy was twofold. Xaver Schlager arrived on a free transfer from RB Leipzig, an experienced Austrian international with Champions League pedigree whom Glasner knew well from their time together in Germany. Then there was James McAtee, the 23-year-old who had been used primarily as an attacking midfielder but whom Forest fans have since identified as the “surprise” direct replacement for Anderson. The internal solution, rather than the marquee signing, has proven the more astute.
“I have a vision in my head how I want to see us playing but this has to be aligned with the players we have and what the players are capable of,” Glasner said upon arrival. That pragmatism has defined his midfield rebuild: not a like-for-like replacement for Anderson, but a reconfiguration of roles and responsibilities.
This is the story of Nottingham Forest’s 2026/27 midfielders: a captain who sets the standards, an Ivorian finding his feet, an Austrian arriving on a free, and a young Englishman seizing an unexpected opportunity.
Tactical Context
Glasner’s midfield structure is built for energy and disruption. In the 3-4-2-1 he deployed in the opening weeks, the central pairing behind the two attacking midfielders is tasked with screening the back three, initiating transitions, and covering the wide areas that the wing-backs vacate. It is a demanding role, one that requires tactical discipline and physical endurance in equal measure.
The early-season numbers reflect a team still adjusting. Across the first eight league matches, Forest scored just six goals and conceded ten, recording one win, three draws, and four defeats. The midfield’s contribution to the attacking output was modest: Morgan Gibbs-White, operating in a more advanced role, scored once and assisted twice in 540 minutes, while the deeper midfielders contributed little in the way of goals or assists.
The defensive statistics, however, tell a more encouraging story. Against Manchester City in the tenth matchweek, the midfield pairing of Schlager and Yates provided the platform for a 3-1 victory, with the Austrian’s positioning and the captain’s tenacity limiting City’s control of central areas. It was a performance that suggested Glasner’s system is beginning to function, even if the results have been inconsistent.
The absence of Anderson’s calming presence has been felt most acutely in possession. Forest’s ability to control games and keep clean sheets, as noted in pre-season analysis, was always likely to suffer without the England international’s influence. The question is whether Schlager, Sangare, and McAtee can collectively compensate for what was lost.
The Midfielders
Ryan Yates
Yates is the captain and the institutional memory of this Forest squad. The 28-year-old has been at the club since his academy days, through promotion, relegation battles, and the turbulence of four managers in a single season. His role under Glasner has been as the energetic, ball-winning presence alongside Schlager in the central pairing.
His profile is not that of a technician. Yates is a disruptor, a player who covers ground, makes tackles, and sets the tone through sheer force of will. In the 3-1 victory over Manchester City, he started alongside Schlager and provided the physical foundation for the result. His value is measured in the intangibles: the standards he sets in training, the example he provides to younger players, the leadership he offers in a dressing room that has lacked continuity.
The limitation is technical. Against teams that press aggressively or defend deep, Yates’ passing range and creative output are limited. He is not the player who will unlock a low block or dictate tempo against elite opposition. But in a squad that has lost its most technically gifted midfielder, his reliability and durability have become more important than ever.
Ibrahim Sangare
Sangare is the player Forest hoped they were signing when they paid PSV Eindhoven £30 million in 2023. After two difficult seasons of adaptation, the Ivorian delivered a standout 2025/26 campaign that attracted tentative interest from Manchester United and Besiktas. His performances at the World Cup, where he helped Ivory Coast reach the knockout stages, confirmed his emergence as a midfielder of genuine quality.
His profile is that of the modern defensive midfielder: physically imposing, comfortable in possession, capable of breaking lines with his passing. When he is at his best, he provides the control and composure that Anderson once offered, albeit in a different register. The challenge is consistency. Sangare’s first two seasons at the City Ground were marked by injuries and adaptation struggles; last season proved what he is capable of when fully fit and settled.
Under Glasner, Sangare has featured primarily from the bench in the early weeks, with Schlager and Yates preferred in the central pairing. But the Ivorian’s quality is undeniable, and as the season progresses, he is likely to become a more regular starter. The hope, as expressed in pre-season analysis, was that he and Schlager could “step up” to fill the void left by Anderson. That process is ongoing.
Xaver Schlager
Schlager is the new arrival, the free-transfer signing from RB Leipzig who arrived with Champions League experience and a relationship with Glasner stretching back to their time in Austria and Germany. The 28-year-old Austrian international was described in pre-season as a player who “could easily be one of the most underrated yet effective transfers Forest make.”
His profile is that of the complete central midfielder. He is comfortable in possession, aggressive without it, and tactically intelligent enough to adjust his positioning depending on the opponent. In the 3-1 victory over Manchester City, he started alongside Yates and delivered a performance of composure and discipline that belied his status as a free signing.
The question is whether Schlager can remain fit. His career at Leipzig was interrupted by injuries, and his minutes were carefully managed in the early weeks at Forest. If he can stay available, he provides the quality and experience that the midfield desperately needs. If he cannot, the burden falls on Sangare and Yates.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Gibbs-White is Forest’s most important attacking player, but his role under Glasner blurs the line between midfield and forward. The 26-year-old operates in the attacking midfield positions of the 3-4-2-1, tasked with creating chances, scoring goals, and linking the midfield with the front line.
His numbers from the opening phase reflect his importance. In six league matches, he scored once and assisted twice, creating 17 chances and completing 83% of his passes. His average rating of 7.31 was among the highest in the squad. When Forest needed a goal or a moment of inspiration, Gibbs-White was the player most likely to provide it.
His profile is that of the modern attacking midfielder: technically gifted, comfortable in tight spaces, capable of both scoring and creating. He is not a traditional central midfielder, and Glasner has wisely deployed him in a role that maximises his strengths while minimising his defensive responsibilities. The question is whether Forest can keep him fit and productive across a gruelling season.
James McAtee
McAtee is the internal solution to the Anderson problem, and according to Forest supporters, he has been the club’s player of the season so far. The 23-year-old, signed from Manchester City in a previous window, has been deployed in a deeper role than his natural attacking midfield position, and the adjustment has been impressive.
His profile is that of the technically gifted academy product: comfortable on the ball, capable of playing between the lines, and possessing the vision to unlock defences. What has surprised observers is his willingness to do the less glamorous work, the pressing and covering that Glasner’s system demands. The “surprise” of his emergence as Anderson’s replacement, as the BBC noted, lies in the fact that few expected a player of his profile to adapt so seamlessly to a more demanding role.
At 23, McAtee has time to develop further. If he continues on his current trajectory, Forest may have found a long-term solution in a position they feared would take years to fill.
Nicolas Dominguez
Dominguez is the versatile option, a midfielder comfortable in central areas or wider roles. The Argentine, 28, has been at the club since 2023 and has been linked with a contract extension, a reflection of his value as a squad member. His energy and tenacity make him a useful option off the bench or in rotation, even if he is not a guaranteed starter.
The Numbers Game
Table A: Nottingham Forest Midfielder Premier League Statistics (2026/27)
| Player | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Gibbs-White | 6 (6) | 540 | 1 | 2 | 7.31 |
| Ryan Yates | 7 (6) | 502 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Xaver Schlager | 7 (6) | 497 | 0 | 0 | — |
| James McAtee | 7 (3) | 312 | 1 | 0 | — |
| Ibrahim Sangare | 6 (1) | 128 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Nicolas Dominguez | 3 (0) | 47 | 0 | 0 | — |
Table B: Nottingham Forest Midfield – Key Metrics (2026/27)
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Anderson Transfer Fee | £116m | Record sale to Manchester City |
| Anderson’s 2025/26 Output | 4 goals, 5 assists | Most touches, tackles, chances created |
| Gibbs-White Chances Created | 17 | In first six league matches |
| Gibbs-White Pass Accuracy | 83.0% | Among squad’s highest |
| Schlager Signing Fee | Free | From RB Leipzig |
Table C: Midfielder Career Context & Pedigree
| Player | Nationality | Previous Clubs | Style Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Yates | England | Forest Academy | Ball-winner, leader, energetic, limited technician |
| Ibrahim Sangare | Ivory Coast | PSV Eindhoven | Physical, composed, line-breaking passer |
| Xaver Schlager | Austria | RB Leipzig, Wolfsburg | Complete midfielder, tactically intelligent, injury-prone |
| Morgan Gibbs-White | England | Wolves | Creative, technical, goalscorer, attacking threat |
| James McAtee | England | Manchester City | Technical, adaptable, surprising defensive output |
| Nicolas Dominguez | Argentina | Bologna | Versatile, tenacious, squad option |
Tactical Identity & Squad Balance
Forest’s midfield is a reconstruction in progress. The departure of Anderson removed not only a player but an entire axis of control. The response — Schlager on a free, McAtee’s internal promotion, Sangare’s continued integration — has been pragmatic rather than spectacular, and the early results reflect that.
The numbers tell a story of a team still finding its rhythm. Six goals in eight matches is a modest return, and the midfield’s contribution to that output has been limited. Gibbs-White is the creative hub, but he cannot carry the burden alone. McAtee’s emergence has been a genuine bright spot, and Schlager’s experience provides a platform that the younger players can build upon.
The defensive side of the midfield’s responsibilities has been more encouraging. Against Manchester City, the pairing of Schlager and Yates demonstrated that Glasner’s system can function against elite opposition when the midfield executes its pressing and covering duties effectively. The challenge is replicating that performance consistently.
The depth is adequate but not abundant. Sangare’s quality is undeniable, but his fitness remains a question. Dominguez is a reliable squad option. Beyond that, Forest are reliant on Yates’ durability and Schlager’s availability. An injury to either would leave the midfield exposed.
The January window may offer an opportunity to add another midfielder, but the club’s financial constraints — and the £116 million received for Anderson — suggest that any investment will be measured rather than extravagant. The internal solutions, McAtee in particular, may prove more valuable than any external addition.
The Verdict from the Camp
Oliver Glasner, on his tactical vision (pre-season):
“I have a vision in my head how I want to see us playing but this has to be aligned with the players we have and what the players are capable of. If I ask a player to do something he doesn’t really feel confident with or he perhaps can’t do it well, he will lose his confidence.”
BBC Sport, on James McAtee:
“Nottingham Forest fan Ellie Molloson says James McAtee has been the club’s player of the season so far, proving a surprise direct replacement for Elliot Anderson, who left for Manchester City in the summer.”
Fantasy Football Scout, on the Anderson void:
“Elliot Anderson, a key player at Forest, has been sold to Manchester City this summer. The England international had the most touches, won the most tackles and created the most chances of any teammate in 2025/26… Forest now have a huge void to fill in the middle of the park, which could impact their ability to control games and keep clean sheets. The hope is that Ibrahim Sangare and new arrival Xaver Schlager can step up, but it’s a big ask, given Anderson’s influence.”
Where Next?
Forest’s midfield priority is clear: they need Schlager to stay fit, McAtee to continue his development, and Sangare to deliver on his potential. The combination of experience and youth is promising, but the early-season evidence suggests that consistency remains elusive.
The development of McAtee is the most intriguing subplot. If he can establish himself as a reliable starter in the deeper role, Forest possess a player who offers something different from Anderson: more mobility, less control, but a willingness to do the defensive work that Glasner’s system demands. If he falters, the burden falls on Sangare, whose fitness cannot be guaranteed.
The January window may offer an opportunity to add depth, but the club’s financial situation — bolstered by the Anderson sale — suggests that any additions will be targeted rather than transformative. The priority, as it has been since Glasner’s arrival, is to make the existing pieces fit.
For now, Forest’s midfielders are a unit defined by transition. The captain provides the foundation, the new arrival provides the experience, and the young Englishman provides the hope. Whether that combination is enough to keep Forest clear of another relegation battle is the question that will define the season.
