Nottingham Forest are being told they’ve landed an elite talent in Xaver Schlager — but a closer look reveals a genuine caveat attached to that glowing endorsement, one that could shape exactly how quickly he makes an impact at the City Ground.
Pre-Season Gets Underway Under Glasner
The comments emerge just as Forest’s new era officially begins. Pre-season training kicked off on Monday, and Oliver Glasner sat down for his first interview as the club’s new manager earlier this week. With Schlager reportedly closing in on a move to Forest, attention has quickly turned to exactly what kind of player the club is about to add to its ranks.
A Glowing Verdict From Someone Who Knows Him Best
The endorsement comes from Christopher Baumgartner, who has lined up alongside Schlager numerous times at international level with Austria and has been asked about his qualities before. His assessment doesn’t hold back — Baumgartner has stated plainly that when fit, Schlager ranks among the best defensive midfielders anywhere in world football.
That’s an enormous statement for a player who has spent the majority of his career in Germany rather than one of Europe’s headline-grabbing leagues, and it’s exactly the kind of endorsement that gets a fanbase excited about a new arrival.
The Caveat: “When He’s Fit”
Here’s where the excitement needs to be tempered slightly. Baumgartner’s praise comes with a very specific qualifier — “when he’s fit” — and that phrasing isn’t accidental. Schlager has been working his way back from a serious injury in recent years, meaning Forest will need him to first prove his body can consistently hold up before that “one of the best in the world” tag becomes a reality on a weekly basis in the Premier League.
No Premier League Experience Adds Another Layer
There’s also the obvious question of adaptation. Schlager has never played in England before, and the step up to the pace, physicality, and intensity of the Premier League is notoriously difficult for even the most accomplished overseas midfielders. It’s not necessarily a red flag, but it is a genuine unknown that Forest fans will need to be patient about as he settles in.
Why There’s Still Plenty of Reason for Optimism
Despite those caveats, there are real reasons for confidence here. Schlager brings extensive experience at both club and international level, and crucially, he already has an established relationship with Glasner, who has previously worked with Austrian players throughout his managerial career and clearly rates him highly enough to have pushed hard for the signing. That existing chemistry and tactical familiarity could go a long way toward smoothing over any early adjustment period.
What Forest Fans Should Expect
The message here is fairly clear: Forest may well be getting a genuinely elite talent in Schlager, but supporters shouldn’t expect an instant, flawless transition into Premier League football. Between his recent injury history and the lack of top-flight experience, there’s a reasonable adjustment period to account for before that lofty “best in the world” billing gets put to the test on a consistent basis.
If he can stay healthy and settle in quickly under a manager who already knows exactly how to get the best out of him, Forest could end up with one of the shrewdest pieces of business in the entire division. The early signs, at least according to those who’ve played alongside him, are certainly promising.
