'Adonis' Gibbs-White's chance to shine - will Tuchel take notice?
September 3, 2026 17:07
Morgan Gibbs-White has continued the scoring form that followed his omission from England's World Cup squad in May. He assisted Dan Ndoye and converted a penalty in Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw at Liverpool, adding to a run of strong performances this season.
Forest's new manager Oliver Glasner has positioned Gibbs-White as a focal point of the team after Elliot Anderson moved to Manchester City, and the midfielder recently committed his future to the club with a new three-year contract following a highly publicised transfer saga involving Tottenham.
KEY CONTEXT
Gibbs-White was left out of England's World Cup squad by Thomas Tuchel in May; he marked that snub by scoring on the final day of the Premier League season and making a visible celebration referencing his number 10 shirt. Last season he finished with a career-best 18 goals and netted 10 times in the final 15 matches of the campaign.
During the close-season, Tottenham tried to sign him. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis met Gibbs-White in Portugal to persuade him to stay, and the club threatened legal action against Spurs over the approach. With Anderson sold to Manchester City for £116m, Glasner has given Gibbs-White freedom to operate further forward while James McAtee occupies a deeper role.
WHY IT MATTERS
Gibbs-White has become Forest's primary creative and goalscoring outlet, increasing his profile domestically and internationally. His productive spell in 2026 — directly involved in 20 club goals (15 goals, five assists), the joint-most in the Premier League alongside Erling Haaland — strengthens his case for England consideration ahead of Nations League fixtures.
Whether that form is enough to change the England manager's view remains open, but for Forest the midfielder is central to their attacking identity under Glasner.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Will Tuchel alter his selection plans for upcoming Nations League matches against Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic in response to Gibbs-White's form? That question is unresolved.
- Can Gibbs-White sustain his goalscoring and creative output now he is clearly Forest's number 10 and the team’s main attacking focal point?
- Forest face Tottenham next; that match will be an immediate test of Gibbs-White's influence and a reminder of last summer's transfer drama.
KEY FACTS
- Gibbs-White scored a penalty and assisted in Forest's 2-2 draw at Liverpool this season.
- He signed a new three-year contract with Nottingham Forest after rejecting a move to Tottenham.
- He scored 18 goals in all competitions last season, including 10 in the final 15 games.
- Elliot Anderson left Forest for Manchester City in a £116m transfer.
- In 2026 Gibbs-White was directly involved in 20 club goals (15 goals, five assists), joint-most in the Premier League with Erling Haaland.