ANTHONY ELANGA SAYS ‘ONLY ONE PERSON’ AT NOTTINGHAM FOREST WANTED HIM TO STAT DESPITE HE’S ONE OF THEIR BEST PLAYERS
Anthony Elanga Reveals “Only One Person” at Nottingham Forest Wanted Him to Stay
Anthony Elanga has opened up on his Nottingham Forest exit and made a surprising claim that only one person inside the club truly wanted him to stay – despite being one of their most consistent performers during his time at the City Ground.
The Swedish international left Forest this summer in a big-money move to Newcastle United, with the Magpies paying a reported £52 million plus add-ons to secure his services. For many supporters, the sale was hard to accept. Elanga had quickly become a fan favourite after arriving from Manchester United in 2023, offering pace, creativity and goals in a side often battling for survival.
But while fans showed their appreciation, Elanga insists the feeling wasn’t always mirrored within the club. Speaking about the circumstances behind his departure, he claimed that backing from inside the dressing room and hierarchy was far thinner than people on the outside might assume.
“Only Chris Wood Wanted Me to Stay”
In an exclusive conversation, Elanga said that the only teammate who made a real effort to convince him to remain at Forest was striker Chris Wood.
“Yes — it’s no secret now,” Elanga admitted. “The only person at Forest who gave me any sense that he wanted me to stay was Chris Wood.
When the Newcastle talks began, many people went quiet. But Wood was different. He pulled me aside and said, ‘Elanga, if it were up to me, you’d be here next season.’ That meant a lot because others, whether in the club offices or in the dressing room, weren’t saying much at all.”
Elanga added that while he didn’t expect public campaigning from teammates or staff, the lack of strong messages of support left him feeling that his time was already over.
“From the board and management, I didn’t feel the fight,” he continued. “And with most teammates, it was more like, ‘Good luck, whatever happens.’ That’s fine, but it’s not the same as someone genuinely wanting you to stay. With Wood, it felt real.”
Fans Left Divided
The revelation has sparked debate among Forest fans, many of whom were frustrated at the club’s decision to sell Elanga in the first place. Some supporters argue that Forest could not afford to turn down such a huge offer, while others believe selling a player entering his prime sends the wrong message about ambition.
On social media, reactions have ranged from sympathy to scepticism. One fan wrote: “If Elanga says only Wood wanted him, that shows a deeper problem inside the club.” Another countered: “Players say these things after leaving all the time. We got good money, and he’s moved on.”
Looking Ahead
For Elanga, the focus is now on Newcastle, where he has already spoken of his excitement to link up with Eddie Howe’s side and continue his development in a more attack-minded team.
“I’ll always be grateful to Forest and their fans,” Elanga said. “They gave me a platform after United. But for me, Newcastle is a new challenge, and I want to give everything here.”
Still, his parting words have cast an uncomfortable spotlight on Nottingham Forest. If Elanga’s account is accurate, it suggests that even one of their standout performers did not feel fully valued by the club. For a team fighting to establish itself as a Premier League regular, that’s a perception they may need to address sooner rather than later.