Nottingham Forest go for Champions League Qualification

Nuno Espirito Santo's men take on Chelsea at the City Ground in the final match of the season

Nuno Espirito Santo
Author: PA Sport StaffPublished 25th May 2025

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo stressed enjoyment was key to his Champions League-chasing side's final Premier League game of the season against Chelsea.

Victory for either Forest or Chelsea at the City Ground on Sunday could secure them Champions League football next season, while Newcastle and Aston Villa are also in the hunt for a top-five finish.

Despite there being so much at stake for Forest and their rivals on what will be a nerve-jangling finale, Nuno insisted he had only one message for his players.

He said: "To enjoy, to play the game, to compete well against a tough team. We are preparing well. In terms of motivation there is not much to say.

"And one of the parts that we love is that we are enjoying preparing for a big match. Why not enjoy it?

"We have to enjoy it, everybody here. In a game like this in terms of motivation, you just don't have to worry about that because it's already there.

"The players are on fire to play the game, so the message is to stick to the tasks, recognise that it's a tough team to play against and enjoy - play the game like we always do. There's no big message."

Nuno has completed a remarkable turnaround for Forest, regardless of whether they fall short of sealing a Champions League place, after his side endured a nervy relegation battle last season.

When asked if he could ever have imagined being in this position this time last year, the Portuguese said with the broadest of grins: "It's good for all of us.

"It means we have been doing good things since the beginning, working very hard. The players have been committed and that's why they deserve this final day, fighting for something that can be huge for us."

Nuno insisted his players' biggest task in the build-up to Sunday would be to continue blocking out all the external noise.

"We take away that part and play the game," he said. "Since the beginning of the season it's been like that.

"Focus on the details, focus on the opponents, enjoy the game by competing well.

"Players playing football and enjoying it when on the pitch, they are much better.

"Players that play football, thinking about other things, they are not so good, believe me."

Nuno dismissed concerns over being able to keep hold of Morgan Gibbs-White in the summer following the midfielder's latest England call-up, adding: "We are only concerned about his performance on Sunday.

"This is what we think and in his mind, for sure, is only to compete and help the team on Sunday."

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