Is Morgan Gibbs-White the next big thing in English football? The young midfielder has certainly been making waves, with his impressive form for Nottingham Forest catching the eye of many, including England manager Thomas Tuchel. But is he the leading contender to be England's number 10 at the World Cup? Let's take a closer look at the rising star and his prospects for the international stage.
Gibbs-White has been a revelation for Forest this season, with 13 goals in 35 Premier League games. His form has been particularly notable since the start of March, with seven goals in that period. This has not gone unnoticed by Tuchel, who has been keeping a close eye on the midfielder's progress. However, Gibbs-White was initially left out of Tuchel's 35-man England squad for the friendlies against Japan and Uruguay, which may have raised some eyebrows.
What makes Gibbs-White stand out is his ability to impact games. He has 16 goal contributions from open play, which is more than any other player in the running for the number 10 role. His form since the turn of the year has been exceptional, with 12 of those contributions coming in the second half of the season. This has put him firmly in the conversation for the England squad, with former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy stating that Gibbs-White is in form and impacting games.
However, the number 10 role is a crowded one, with Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, Arsenal's Eberechi Eze, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, and Manchester City's Phil Foden also in the running. While Rogers and Gibbs-White have played the most minutes for their clubs this season, the competition is fierce. Gibbs-White's problem is that he has been in and out of the squad, which may have impacted his chances of making the final cut.
One thing that immediately stands out is the fact that Gibbs-White has been in and out of the squad, which may have impacted his chances of making the final cut. This is a concern, as it is important for a player to be consistent and reliable if they are to be considered for international duty. However, his recent form has been exceptional, and he has the opportunity to prove himself in the remaining games for Forest.
Gibbs-White has the chance to prove himself in the remaining games for Forest, with Premier League fixtures against Newcastle, Manchester United, and Bournemouth, as well as a Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa. If he can play a key role in Forest winning a European trophy, it will surely boost his international hopes. However, his recent clash of heads with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has left him with a nasty wound, and he now faces a race against time to be fit for the semi-final second leg.
In my opinion, Gibbs-White has the potential to be England's number 10 at the World Cup. His form has been exceptional, and he has the ability to impact games. However, he will need to stay fit and consistent in the remaining games for Forest if he is to make the final cut. It will be interesting to see if Tuchel takes a chance on the young midfielder and includes him in the final squad. Personally, I think it is too late for Gibbs-White to get a call-up now, but he deserves it, and all he can do is perform for his club. It will be fascinating to see how the rest of the season plays out for the young midfielder and whether he will be able to secure his place in the England squad.
