Thomas Tuchel told why he was wrong about 'outstanding' Nottingham Forest ace Morgan Gibbs-White
by Sarah Clapson · NottinghamshireLiveNottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White can consider himself “very, very unlucky” to have missed out on an England call-up.
But former Three Lions striker Alan Shearer has backed the 25-year-old to bounce back from being snubbed by Thomas Tuchel for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The Match of the Day pundit has told Gibbs-White there is no reason why he cannot win back his squad place with the national team.
It comes after the Reds ace put in a fantastic performance on Saturday as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side triumphed 4-2 away to Ipswich Town. An outstanding individual display, which included an assist for Jota Silva, was the perfect response from Gibbs-White after his absence from Tuchel’s first England squad was revealed 24 hours earlier.
“He is very, very unlucky not to be in the England squad when you look at other players who are and when you look at his performances this season,” Shearer said on the BBC’s highlights show. “He has been one of the outstanding players for Nottingham Forest.
“But if he keeps on playing the way he is - and there is no doubt that he can do - he will be in England squads in the future, I’ve got no doubt about it.”
Gibbs-White made his debut for his country at senior level last year when Lee Carsley was in interim charge. Explaining his decision to leave out the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man, along with Reds teammates Elliot Anderson and Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tuchel suggested he plumped for “world-class” players who have experience at international and Champions League level.
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The German, who has watched Forest more than once his appointment, also specified he saw Gibbs-White purely as a No.10. However, Nuno deployed the versatile midfielder/attacker in a deeper role at Portman Road.
Shearer’s fellow pundit Danny Murphy felt Gibbs-White thrived there. His analysis perhaps contained a pointed remark in light of Tuchel’s “No.10” comment.
“Gibbs-White in this deeper role. Love him there. He’s got the energy and the capability,” Murphy said.
“Gibbs-White has been left out of the England squad this week and there has been a lot of talk about that. I was surprised, and I think most people were.
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“He’s more than disciplined enough to play this central midfield role. A lot of people think he’s just a 10, but he’s got the concentration and the discipline (to play deeper).
“We know his distribution is good and we know he is technically a very good player. Great attitude and energy to get forward and make things happen. I think one of the other things with him is this season his decision-making has been really good in the final third - knowing when to pass, knowing when to get shots off.
“Outstanding performance from him. Brilliant performance from Forest, and they have now given themselves a wonderful opportunity to cement that Champions League place.”