Key transfer call proves what Nottingham Forest are trying to do as Anthony Elanga challenge set

It was evident even then that the Reds and Marinakis were serious about their business. Elanga is a well-liked member of the dressing room and a talented young player. For Forest, turning down a significant offer was a big issue.

However, in the midst of sometimes patchy performance, there has been the occasional social media comment about regrets not making more money off of the 22-year-old. However, the team deserves a lot of credit for deviating from the beaten path.

It required some effort to resist being influenced by an eye-popping bid. It would have been against the Reds’ goals to sell Elanga. Nuno wants to construct something; he wants to build on the prior term’s foundations and advance this team.

Elanga is youthful. His performances will have highs and lows. It must have been painful to miss out on the Sweden team for their next games, but it can also serve as incentive.

When questioned about the former Manchester United winger during his pregame press conference, Nuno responded, “I think he is doing well.” “He was really important to us in the previous game.

He is assuming greater responsibilities than he previously did. Ward-Prowse is our set-piece taker when James isn’t on the field. He is working really hard on that, and we have also given him responsibility for it. He’s doing great.

“We know the threat he has. The threat that he has is natural. He is providing good situations.”

Adding more goals to his game can be an area of improvement for Elanga. He is yet to get on the scoresheet this term.

“I truly believe that we have goals in the team besides Chris (Wood). T (Taiwo Awoniyi) also had a good chance in the last game and is desperate to get this moment – and he will get there,” Nuno added. “For all the players who come on, it is just about the finer details.

“But Anthony for sure (will get there). And I’m very positive that he is going to do it.”

Elliot Anderson and Wood will no doubt be keen to catch the eye against their former club on Sunday. But perhaps Elanga will be eager to do well, too – to show why Forest were right to want to keep him. He remains a player with a lot of potential, and one who can still be key in an exciting campaign at the City Ground.