Nottingham Forest’s Champions League Push and Wayne Rooney’s Verdict
Nottingham Forest have made a monumental push towards securing a spot in the Champions League, but with their fate still undecided, Wayne Rooney has weighed in on how he believes they would perform on Europe’s biggest stage.
It’s an exhilarating yet nerve-wracking period for Forest supporters, with the FA Cup semi-final looming and the Champions League race intensifying.
Forest’s recent victory over Tottenham eased concerns about Nuno Espirito Santo’s side’s form heading into the final stretch of the Premier League season, opening up a three-point cushion over Chelsea just outside the Champions League spots.
Even with praise from figures like Pep Guardiola, who called Forest “outstanding,” qualification remains up in the air. Nonetheless, looking ahead, Wayne Rooney shared some frank thoughts about Forest’s prospects in Europe.
Wayne Rooney on Forest’s Champions League Readiness
Despite Evangelos Marinakis’ remarkable ambition, even he would recognize the daunting task awaiting Forest if they qualify for the Champions League. Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Rooney expressed doubts about whether Forest would be ready to truly enjoy or capitalize on the opportunity.
Rooney remarked:
“The Champions League is fantastic to be part of, but I think it can give you false hope if you’re not ready. It’s better to build your squad first, to ensure you can genuinely compete. If Forest get in, I think they’ll be knocked out very quickly, to be honest.”
Though not the most encouraging message for fans, there’s no hint of complacency from Forest’s ownership, particularly Marinakis, who is determined to prepare the club for European competition.
Marinakis’ Plans to Strengthen Forest for Europe
The caliber of players Forest are being linked with indicates serious investment is on the horizon. Targets such as Douglas Luiz and Brian Mbuemo suggest that Marinakis intends to back Espirito Santo robustly, ensuring the squad is equipped to compete on the continental stage.
Following promotion to the Premier League, Marinakis made a significant financial commitment, bringing in the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Neco Williams—signings that have since proven their worth. If Forest can finish the job and clinch Champions League qualification, Rooney’s concerns about squad depth are likely to be addressed swiftly with decisive transfer market activity.
‘In my opinion’: Wayne Rooney’s ominous Nottingham Forest Champions League warning
