Nottingham Forest head coach Oliver Glasner
Nottingham Forest head coach Oliver Glasner(Image: Getty)
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Head coach Oliver Glasner has indicated Nottingham Forest are working to oversee some departures before next week’s transfer deadline.
Striker Liam Delap became the fourth new face added to Glasner’s squad this summer when he joined from Chelsea earlier this week. The Reds still want to sign a right-back, with Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz a target, and potentially a midfielder before the window closes at 11pm on September 1.
There could also be some movement in the opposite direction as Glasner prefers to work with a small group. Several players have admirers elsewhere, with Omari Hutchinson on the radar of AC Milan and Morato being linked with Roma.
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Asked about potential exits, the Forest boss said: “It’s always trying to find the best solutions for the players. This is what the players deserve.
“I mentioned when I arrived that the squad is very big. We have had a few loans (out) now and Taiwo (Awoniyi) left for Coventry.
“It’s also just fair, because we don’t play European football and we don’t have a massive amount of games this season. Players want to play, and players should play.
“Against Liverpool, I have to leave three or four players at home. They train every day and give their best, and if it is not these four it will be another four (left out).
“This is never the best situation for a player. I can’t ask anyone if we can go with 22 players in the squad against Liverpool, it’s just not allowed. That’s why we are trying to reduce the squad; mainly for the players.”
The Reds paid an initial £45 million for Delap, with the potential for add-ons to take that fee up to £50m. The forward has endured a challenging 12 months at Stamford Bridge since joining from Ipswich Town, but he arrives Trentside eager to rediscover his past form.
Glasner has suggested breaking into the England squad should be an aim for the 23-year-old. Ahead of today’s clash with Liverpool at Anfield (12.30pm kick-off), he said: "Yes, and not just him. I think every player needs a personal goal and what he should achieve - whether it's playing for your country or winning something. Is it getting into the squad for a young player? Everybody should have this personal goal and the better the players perform, the more likely it is they achieve it.
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"I've talked to Liam and this isn't pressure, this is the feeling. If someone says it's just fine to be in the building and have a nice breakfast, have the chef prepare the fried eggs in the morning and then do a little bit of work on the pitch and go home, it's the wrong mindset for achieving something.
"You see the situation around the other number 9s in England, with the top centre forwards, they are over 30 right now. Everyone at the World Cup was over 30 - Harry Kane, Danny Welbeck, Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins.
"So then Liam, in his early 20s, is a player with a profile every manager wants to have. We will support him - this is what I've told him and every single player. He will get all the support but he has to do it. He has to come in every morning and he has to have the ambition to improve his game in every single part. It's not just doing what the manager or head coach is telling you, it's about going on the pitch with a purpose.
“When you are a professional football player you have to go on the pitch with a purpose and what do you want to improve. We will provide the environment and surroundings where this is possible, but they have to do it. Having this mindset, it will happen.
"This is what we want to create and it's his ambition in every single training session. It's what Liam has and then he has good chances to play for England, definitely."
Glasner added: “With Liam, even 10 days ago it seemed like this deal wouldn’t happen due to different reasons. All of a sudden the door opened slightly and we put our foot in it and didn't let it close again. As soon as we could grab Liam's hand, we pulled him through the door and now he's here.
“We will help him to reignite his career and become the same player - and hopefully even a better player - than he was at Ipswich. If you have never shown something, then you just hope. But if somebody has already proven it, this gives us the confidence that we can get him back there.
“It’s important that he wants it; that’s the most important thing. We have an environment where he can become the Liam Delap of Ipswich, and hopefully an even better player.”
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