Sheffield United boss sends a star player-White warning ahead of Nottingham Forest reunion
Blades set for first reunion with former loan star since he left
Boss Paul Heckingbottom has reminded his Sheffield United players to “be aware” of the threat posed by their former loan star Morgan Gibbs-White when they face Nottingham Forest this evening. Gibbs-White was a revelation on loan at Bramall Lane in 2021/22, scoring 11 goals in 33 starts and helping them into the Championship play-offs.
Ironically their promotion hopes ended at the semi-final stage at the hands of Forest, with Gibbs-White missing the decisive penalty in the shootout that sent Forest to Wembley. He later joined Steve Cooper’s side in a big-money deal from Wolves, worth more than £40m, but helped Forest survive in the Premier League last season before helping England’s U21s to European Championship glory earlier this summer.
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Heckingbottom revealed he keeps in touch with his former loan star, adding: “I’ve got a lot of time for Morgan and I think everyone knows I had a bit of a soft spot for him during his time here. I liked how he played, I like his personality. He’s got an edge to him, and he responds well when you got after him as well.
“I certainly feel like he needs managing as well. I just love the lad to bits, so I’m pleased for him. We’ve kept in touch and he was one of the first people when we got promoted to send his best wishes to everyone.
“That unpredictability is one of his strengths and it can be one of his weaknesses if he’s not totally on top of his game. When he was here, certainly I tried to encourage that in him because I always liked how he reacted when he lost the ball anyway. He’s certainly a player we need to be aware of.”
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Nottingham Forest step up interest in 21 years old player
A look at the latest Leeds United transfer rumours
A look at the latest Leeds United transfer rumours on Friday, August 18.
Nottingham Forest step up efforts to sign Leeds target
Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, claims Nottingham Forest will turn their attention to Manchester City’s England under-21 skipper Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Steve Cooper’s side are looking to freshen their options up in the heart of defence and are desperate for new faces.
The report claims the Reds are hopeful they’ll be able to agree a deal with City for the young centre-half who impressed on loan with Burnley last season. Pep Guradiola’s side have set a reported asking price of £15million, which has put off Burnley, West Ham, Fulham and Leeds from making an approach.
Harwood-Bellis was left out of the City squad that won the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night against Sevi Trevoh Chalobah.
lla and wants firs team football this season. Forest are also reportedly keen on Chelsea defenderPaul Heckingbottom addresses Oli McBurnie’s future amid Leeds United links
Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom has shut dow
n any transfer speculation linking Oli McBurnie with a move to Leeds United this summer. The 27-year-old, who was born in Leeds, is good friends with a number of players at Elland Road.
McBurnie watched a number of games at Leeds last season as a guest of Luke Ayling, but there’s no truth in any transfer across Yorkshire at this stage. When asked if his former club had been in touch with the Blades,
Heckingbottom told the Examiner: “No.”
When pushed further and asked if it is a given that 27-year-old stays at Bramall Lane, Heckingbottom replied: “Yes, he’s staying.”
Nottingham Forest are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea trio Callum Hudson-Odoi, Trevor Chalobah and Ian Maatsen in this summer’s transfer window.
The Tricky Trees started their second season back in the Premier League with a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal last Saturday, with first-half goals from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka downing the visitors at the Emirates.
Matt Turner and Ola Aina were the only two players in Forest’s starting XI in North London that had been signed ahead of the 2023-24 term, although new arrival Anthony Elanga grabbed an assist after coming off the bench
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Nottingham Forest eye Chelsea trio?
Following an unprecedented amount of incomings in the summer of 2022, the East Midlands club have curbed their spending this time around, however Cooper’s men are set to be busy in the final weeks of the window.
According to the Daily Mail, Nottingham Forest are looking to recruit Hudson-Odoi, Chalobah and Maatsen from Chelsea before the window slams shut on September 1.
Winger Hudson-Odoi struggled to make an impact at Bayer Leverkusen during a loan spell last term, and it is understood that his time at Stamford Bridge is heading towards a conclusion.
The 22-year-old has been heavily linked to the Blues’ West London rivals Fulham so far this summer, with one report last week claiming that the Cottagers were expecting to complete the signing of the attacker.
As for Chalobah, the centre-back is currently sidelined with an injury sustained in pre-season, although his first-team opportunities at Chelsea were set to be limited regardless due to the recent signings of Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile from Monaco.
The former Ipswich Town loanee started 18 Premier League matches for the Blues last term, forming part of a Chelsea side who stuttered to a bottom-half finish in the English top flight.
Whilst Chalobah was fighting in a struggling team at Stamford Bridge, left-back Maatsen was enjoying a title-winning season at Turf Moor with Burnley.
The Dutchman played 39 second-tier matches for Vincent Kompany‘s Clarets – providing 10 goal contributions in the process – as they cantered to the Championship crown ahead of Sheffield United in second.
The report also claims that central defence is an area being specifically targeted for improvement by Cooper and Forest, with Manchester City’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Morato of Benfica being discussed by the Tricky Trees.
Citizens youngster Harwood-Bellis joined Maatsen at Burnley for the 2022-23 campaign, impressing during his first full season of senior football in England.
A back three of Willy Boly, Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna is likely to start for Forest when they welcome recently-promoted Sheffield United to the City Ground on Friday night in the Premier League.
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