News and commentary on Nottingham Forest as Gary Lineker and Micah Richards examine the Premier League season and relegation struggle, while Murillo receives acclaim amid links with Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Barcelona.
Micah Richards singled out four Nottingham Forest players for special commendation in an end-of-season evaluation, but one in particular had him almost singing.
Richards has been reflecting on the just concluded Premier League season and Forest’s battle to stay up, which became even more tough after the club was docked four points for violating profit and sustainability criteria. In the end, they ended 17th, six points ahead of third-bottom Luton Town in the drop zone.
The former Manchester City and Aston Villa defender turned commentator predicted the outcome last summer because he believed in the players in the City Ground changing room. He still believes the same, with special mentions for Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Morgan Gibbs-White.
But Murillo was the one who really got him to sit up. The Brazilian centre-back joined from Corinthians late in August last year for a reputed cost of up to £13 million. There has been conjecture that Chelsea has been monitoring his progress, and he has admirers in Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid, as well as Tottenham.
Richards stated in the most recent episode of The Rest is Football podcast: “Elanga has been extremely good. Hudson-Odoi has been excellent. Morgan Gibbs-White has excelled. Murillo, however, is the center half. He’s a player. He has a fantastic left foot when he comes out and breaks the lines. They have some good players.
“I just thought they had enough going forward and if they kept everyone fit they’d be fine.”
Gary Lineker, the show’s host, correctly predicted Forest and praised Gibbs-White as well.
He said: “This season they were 17th with 32 points, which is not too different from last season – actually six points, but don’t forget they were deducted four points this season as well. Top scorer Chris Wood scored 15 goals, and they advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
“Pre-season predictions were, Me – ‘They will stay up, they might battle relegation but they will stay up.” Alan (Shearer): ‘A long hard season, bottom three, they may go.’ Oh, dear. Micah – Avoiding relegation. They have quality players, but they need to keep fit. I believe I am in charge of this.”
He went on to say, “They have some really good players.” Exciting youthful talent. I admire Morgan Gibbs-White a lot.”
