Nottingham Forest enter the 2026/27 campaign in a state of controlled recalibration. After a chaotic season that saw four different managers pass through the City Ground doors, Oliver Glasner arrives tasked with restoring stability and steering the club back toward the European places. The summer was defined by quality over quantity: a handful of targeted additions, funded largely by the British record sale of Elliot Anderson to Manchester City. There is no European football this season, a deliberate consequence of last year’s domestic struggles, but also an opportunity. Glasner has time, a settled squad, and a clear tactical identity. This is the definitive guide to the current Nottingham Forest squad.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: Oliver Glasner
Tactical Philosophy: Glasner arrives with a defined tactical blueprint honed at Crystal Palace, where he won the FA Cup and Europa Conference League. His preferred system is a 3-4-2-1, a shape that prioritises defensive solidity through a back three, aggressive wing-back play, and two attacking midfielders operating in the half-spaces behind a central striker. Out of possession, Forest will press selectively and look to win the ball in midfield before transitioning quickly. Glasner has stated he will be more flexible at Forest than he was at Palace, adapting his approach depending on opponent and available personnel. He is not a magician, as he himself has noted, and has urged patience as he shapes the team.
Preferred Formations: 3-4-2-1 / 3-4-3.
Strategic Transfer Activity
Forest spent roughly £101 million on six signings this summer, recouping more than £130 million through departures. The headline transaction was the sale of Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for £116 million, a British record fee for a midfielder that fundamentally reshaped the club’s financial position. Glasner described himself as “very happy” with the window, noting the club “wanted to reduce the number of players and also add quality players with top character.”
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liam Delap | Striker | Chelsea | £45m (initial) |
| Ousmane Diomande | Centre-Back | Sporting CP | £34m |
| Daniel Munoz | Right Wing-Back | Crystal Palace | £22m |
| Xaver Schlager | Central Midfielder | RB Leipzig | Free |
| Steven Benda | Goalkeeper | Fulham | Free |
| Gustavo Sa | Midfielder | Famalicao | £17m |
Liam Delap’s arrival from Chelsea for an initial £45 million, potentially rising to £50 million, represents the club’s statement signing. The striker endured a difficult spell at Stamford Bridge but arrives at the City Ground as the long-term successor to Chris Wood. Ousmane Diomande, signed from Sporting CP for £34 million, slots into a back three alongside Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic, forming one of the most physically imposing defensive units in the division. Daniel Munoz followed Glasner from Crystal Palace, the Colombian wing-back reuniting with a manager who knows exactly how to deploy him. Xaver Schlager, a free transfer from RB Leipzig, is a player Glasner trusts from their time together at Wolfsburg, and his ball progression and work rate are expected to bring the best out of Morgan Gibbs-White.
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
Matz Sels (#26): The Belgian remains Forest’s undisputed number one. Sels has been a reliable presence between the posts since arriving from Strasbourg, and his shot-stopping and command of the penalty area are foundational to Glasner’s defensive setup.
John Victor (#12): The Brazilian provides backup, though his performances have drawn some scrutiny from supporters. If Sels were to suffer an injury, Victor would need to restore faith in his abilities.
Steven Benda (#33): The summer arrival from Fulham signed a one-year contract with an option for a further season. Benda provides competition and depth in the goalkeeping department.
Defenders
Ousmane Diomande (#2): The Ivorian centre-back arrived from Sporting CP for £34 million and has slotted seamlessly into the back three. His physicality, recovery pace, and aerial dominance make him an ideal partner for Murillo and Milenkovic. At just 22, he represents both present quality and long-term value.
Neco Williams (#3): The Welsh international has evolved into a dependable wing-back, his energy and delivery from wide areas providing an attacking outlet on the right. Williams signed a new long-term contract last season, cementing his status as a key squad member.
Morato (#4): The Brazilian centre-back departed on loan to West Ham with an option to make the move permanent. His departure leaves Forest with four natural central defenders.
Murillo (#5): The Brazilian is Forest’s defensive crown jewel. Murillo’s composure on the ball, range of passing, and ability to step into midfield make him one of the most coveted defenders in the Premier League. His partnership with Milenkovic and Diomande forms a formidable back three.
Nikola Milenkovic (#31): The Serbian international is the physical enforcer of the defensive unit. Milenkovic’s aerial dominance and aggressive front-footed defending provide the steel that allows Murillo and Diomande to express themselves on the ball.
Jair Cunha (#23): The young Brazilian defender provides depth in central defence. With Morato departing on loan, Cunha’s development becomes more important to the squad’s rotation.
Nicolo Savona (#37): The Italian defender is comfortable operating in a back three, providing tactical flexibility across the defensive line.
Ola Aina (#34): The Nigerian international faces competition from Munoz at right wing-back but remains a valuable option on either flank. Aina’s versatility and experience make him a reliable squad member.
Luca Netz (#25): The German left wing-back joined from Borussia Monchengladbach and provides an attacking outlet on the left. His delivery and energy suit Glasner’s wing-back system.
Midfielders
Ibrahim Sangare (#6): The Ivorian defensive midfielder remains a key figure in the engine room. With Elliot Anderson’s departure, Sangare’s role as the primary shield in front of the back three becomes even more critical. His interceptions and ground coverage are essential to Glasner’s structure.
Nicolas Dominguez (#8): The Argentine midfielder provides energy and tactical discipline in central areas. Dominguez’s work rate and ability to break up play make him a reliable rotation option.
Xaver Schlager (#21): The Austrian arrives on a free transfer from RB Leipzig, reuniting with Glasner from their Wolfsburg days. Schlager’s ball progression and high-intensity work rate are his defining attributes. He previously played under Glasner, so he is familiar with the manager’s demands. The acquisition could prove to be one of the signings of the summer.
Ryan Yates (#22): The club captain and academy graduate. Yates joined Forest at the age of eight and has only played elsewhere on loan since. He was central to their return to the Premier League in 2021/22 and embodies the club’s identity. While he may not start every week, his leadership and presence in the dressing room are invaluable.
James McAtee (#24): The creative midfielder joined from Manchester City and has been deployed in the advanced midfield roles in Glasner’s 3-4-2-1. McAtee’s technical quality and final-third vision add a different dimension to Forest’s attacking play.
Morgan Gibbs-White (#10): Forest’s talisman and chief creative force. Gibbs-White has hit 140+ FPL points in each of the last four seasons and has assumed penalty-taking duties following Chris Wood’s diminished role. He scored from the spot at Anfield and has reclaimed a share of set-piece duties, taking two crossed free-kicks in the opening gameweek alone. With England facing upcoming Nations League fixtures, Gibbs-White’s form could force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
Forwards
Liam Delap (#19): The club-record signing from Chelsea is the focal point of Forest’s attack. Delap endured a difficult spell at Stamford Bridge but possesses the physical profile and finishing ability to thrive under Glasner. He is the long-term replacement for Chris Wood and should rediscover his momentum with regular starts.
Chris Wood (#9): The veteran New Zealand striker remains a valuable squad option, though his role has diminished. Wood was a second-half substitute on the opening weekend and failed to make it off the bench in Gameweek 2. At 34, he may be more of a peripheral figure this season, but his experience and aerial presence remain assets in certain matchups.
Dan Ndoye (#14): The Swiss winger has impressed in pre-season and scored in the 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. Ndoye’s direct running and end product make him a dangerous outlet in the attacking midfield roles.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (#7): The former Chelsea winger remains a threat from wide areas. Hudson-Odoi’s dribbling and shooting ability provide a different profile to Ndoye, offering Glasner options in the attacking third.
Igor Jesus (#11): The Brazilian forward provides depth through the middle. Jesus scored four goals in pre-season but fell short of his expected goals by a significant margin at the City Ground last season, a statistic he will be eager to correct.
Arnaud Kalimuendo (#15): The French forward adds further attacking depth. Kalimuendo scored three goals in pre-season, demonstrating his readiness to contribute when called upon.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: Ryan Yates
The academy graduate assumed the captaincy, a testament to his journey from the youth ranks to first-team leader. Yates started two Premier League games last season, with Morgan Gibbs-White taking the armband when he was absent. His leadership is rooted in his deep connection to the club and his understanding of what it means to represent Nottingham Forest.
The Leadership Committee: Morgan Gibbs-White, Murillo, and Ibrahim Sangare provide leadership across the squad, bridging the gap between management and dressing room.
Homegrown Quota Check: Premier League rules mandate that each 25-man squad contains no more than 17 non-homegrown players. Forest’s squad includes homegrown talents such as Ryan Yates, Zach Abbott (currently on loan at Southampton), and Neco Williams, ensuring compliance with registration requirements.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview: Forest posted record revenues of £221.7 million for the year to June 2025, but also recorded a pre-tax loss of £78.9 million. The British record sale of Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for £116 million has provided significant financial headroom, allowing the club to reinvest in quality additions while maintaining compliance with financial regulations. With no European football this season, Forest avoid UEFA’s stricter 70% squad cost ratio cap, operating instead under the Premier League’s 85% threshold. The club’s wage-to-revenue ratio was 75% for 2024/25, a figure that may have risen but remains manageable.
Contract Red Alerts: Zach Abbott signed a new four-year deal until 2030 before joining Southampton on loan, securing one of the club’s brightest academy prospects. The contract situations of key performers like Murillo and Morgan Gibbs-White will require attention in upcoming windows, as both will attract interest from clubs with greater financial resources.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch: Junior Nkeng is a name to monitor. The 19-year-old left-winger was signed from AFC Wimbledon for £1 million after being described as a “bright spark” during his time with the League One club. He will likely join the B-Team or depart on loan to gain senior experience. Zach Abbott, an academy graduate who made his first-team debut as a 16-year-old, signed a new contract before joining Southampton on loan. His development will be closely tracked as a potential future first-team defender.
Notable Out on Loan: Omari Hutchinson joined AC Milan on a season-long loan with a reported €40 million option to buy. Dilane Bakwa moved to Lille on loan. Morato joined West Ham on loan with an option for the move to become permanent. Zach Abbott is at Southampton. These loans serve both developmental and financial purposes.
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Morgan Gibbs-White (First Choice) / Liam Delap (Second Choice).
Direct Free-Kicks: Morgan Gibbs-White has reclaimed a share of set-piece duties, taking two crossed free-kicks in the opening gameweek. Dan Ndoye and James McAtee are alternative options.
Corners & Crosses: Morgan Gibbs-White is the primary deliverer from dead-ball situations. His dead-ball responsibilities are an added bonus for a proven Fantasy performer who has consistently delivered 140+ points per season.
For Fantasy Premier League managers, Morgan Gibbs-White is the standout Forest asset. At £7.9 million, he offers penalties, set-piece duties, and a proven track record of consistent returns. Liam Delap, priced at £5.5 million, is a differential to monitor as he settles into his role as Forest’s primary striker. Xaver Schlager, at £5.0 million, could emerge as a budget midfield option if he replicates the ball progression and work rate that made him a trusted Glasner lieutenant at Wolfsburg.
Final Outlook: Navigating the Tactical Horizon
Nottingham Forest enter the 2026/27 season with a squad that feels both settled and incomplete. The chaos of four managers in one season has given way to a clear tactical identity under Glasner. The departures of Anderson and several fringe players have streamlined the squad, while the arrivals of Delap, Diomande, Munoz, and Schlager have added quality in key areas.
The early results have been mixed but encouraging. A disappointing home defeat to Leeds on the opening day was followed by a battling 2-2 draw at Liverpool, a goalless stalemate with Tottenham, and a convincing 2-1 victory at Aston Villa. Four points from four games, with the defensive structure already evident, suggests Glasner’s methods are taking hold.
The primary concern remains the lack of a proven goalscorer. Chris Wood’s diminished role places the burden on Liam Delap, who arrives with a point to prove after his Chelsea nightmare. If Delap can rediscover the form that made him one of the Championship’s most coveted strikers, Forest have a genuine focal point. If not, goals could be hard to come by.
Glasner has wisely tempered expectations, stating he is “not a magician” and urging patience. But the owner, Evangelos Marinakis, demands progress. A mid-table finish would represent stability after last season’s near-relegation. A push for European qualification would be a triumph. The margin between the two is fine, but for the first time in over a year, Forest appear to have a manager and a squad aligned in purpose.
