Ola Aina, Anthony Elanga respond to ‘Geordie Maradona’s ‘message after England triumph
Nottingham Forest’s upward trajectory has continued after one of their key players became an Under-21s European Champion.
The Reds are set to play in European competition for the first time in 29 years next season via their qualification for the UEFA Conference League, after a campaign which shocked the Premier League.
Forest‘s seventh-placed finish and battle for a Champions League spot throughout the season took most onlookers by surprise, and their lethal combination down the right-hand side played a crucial part.
Aina and Elanga’s combination and tireless work made Forest a formidable force on the counter-attack last term, and Elanga in particular has become a player who several Premier League clubs are keen on.
Elliot Anderson makes history away from Nottingham Forest
Newcastle are the current front-runners to sign Elanga this summer after they sealed Champions League qualification at the Reds’ expense, and Forest have already rejected a £35million bid for the Swede.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have reaped the rewards of another £35m move involving Newcastle though, as Elliot Anderson quickly became a key cog in Forest’s midfield during their charge up the league table.
Anderson’s PSR-enforced switch to the City Ground has seen his stock rise rapidly in the last 12 months, and he was at the base of midfield for England’s 3-2 victory over Germany to win the Under-21 European Championship.
The 22-year-old posted on Instagram at full-time (29 June) with the two-word message of; “European Champions!”, and among the replies, both Aina and Elanga called Anderson the “Geordie Maradona”.
Nottingham Forest face fight to retain Elanga and Anderson
Football Insider Verdict
Forest’s qualification for the Conference League is well worth celebrating, but after his side spent most of last season in a Champions League spot, Evangelos Marinakis will rue missing out on a £70m windfall.
Newcastle’s experienced the same disappointment in 2023–24 and were forced to sell Anderson last summer as a result, but qualification this time round puts them in pole position to agree a deal for Elanga.
It remains to be seen if Forest will be able to fight off interested clubs and retain Elanga this summer, but with Aina in support and the ever-improving Anderson pulling strings in midfield, the Reds’ journey into Europe may be just the beginning.