adminElliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White have received a stark England-related warning as Nottingham Forest fight to stay in the Premier League — but their futures at the City Ground remain far from certain heading into the summer.
With Brazilian defender Murillo also attracting transfer interest, Forest could face a major squad shake-up if relegation becomes reality. Former striker Marlon Harewood has weighed in on the situation, outlining what could lie ahead for the club and its key players.
World Cup ambitions at risk amid survival battle
Forest’s turbulent season — which has already seen four permanent managerial appointments — now rests on Vitor Pereira’s ability to guide the team to safety. At the same time, the club has shown promise in Europe, pushing toward a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
However, if relegation to the Championship happens, a mass exodus of top talent is expected. Anderson and Gibbs-White could be among those to leave, although both players are keen to remain in the Premier League and continue developing at the highest level.
Their ambitions extend beyond club football. Both midfielders have their sights set on England’s World Cup squad, with Anderson already earning a place in Thomas Tuchel’s latest selection. Regular top-flight football will be crucial if they are to strengthen their chances of international recognition.
Unsurprisingly, interest is growing. Anderson has been linked with Manchester City, Manchester United, and even a return to Newcastle, while Gibbs-White is attracting attention from several ambitious Premier League sides.
Harewood: Survival is key to keeping stars
Speaking on the situation, Harewood believes Forest’s survival could be the deciding factor in retaining their top players.
“If they stay up, they’ve got Premier League football again, and that’s huge for keeping your best players,” he explained. “Every player wants to compete at the highest level, win trophies, and represent their country.”
He added that relegation would significantly damage those ambitions: “If Forest go down, the chances of playing for England drop. These players are performing at a very high level, but they need to be in the top league to get noticed.”
Harewood also singled out Gibbs-White’s recent performance against Manchester City, calling it one of his best in a long time. “He stepped up and showed exactly what he’s capable of. He didn’t look out of place at all,” he said. “Anderson too — these are top players. It just hasn’t fully clicked for them at Forest yet.”
Season-defining clash ahead
Forest currently sit just above the relegation zone, clinging on by goal difference. A crucial showdown with fellow strugglers Tottenham is on the horizon — a match that could have massive implications for their survival hopes.
For Pereira, the pressure is clear: he’ll need big performances from Anderson, Gibbs-White, and Murillo when it matters most if Forest are to avoid the drop and keep their rising stars at the club.
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