England boss Thomas Tuchel lauds Morgan Gibbs-White's professionalism

England manager Thomas Tuchel has commended Morgan Gibbs-White for his professionalism after the Nottingham Forest star was initially left out of Tuchel’s first matchday squad.

Despite enjoying an impressive season at club level, Gibbs-White was overlooked in the original selection.

However, the 25-year-old earned his chance after Cole Palmer was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Gibbs-White, who was part of the England U-17 squad that won the 2017 World Cup under Steve Cooper and later triumphed in the 2023 U-21 Euros under Lee Carsley, made his senior debut under interim boss Carsley in 2024.

Gibbs-White made his senior debut under interim boss Carsley in 2024

He featured in UEFA Nations League matches against Ireland and Greece, assisting Curtis Jones’ goal in the latter encounter.

Although Gibbs-White was left out of the matchday squad for England’s 2-0 victory over Albania at Wembley on Friday, Tuchel hinted that the midfielder could play a role in England’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Latvia on Monday.

“It’s very likely that he will be in the squad,” Tuchel told reporters when asked about Gibbs-White. “Morgan is an amazing character, I have to say. I’m happy he is with us.

“He deserves a lot of praise because first of all how he took the first disappointment when he got my call that he [was] not in the squad.

“He handled it very well, because when he got the second call he was straight away excited and didn’t take it personally.”