Is Gibbs-White favourite to start as England's number 10 at World Cup?

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Morgan Gibbs-White scored a hat-trick against Burnley in April

Not only has Morgan Gibbs-White played a crucial role in helping Nottingham Forest reach the verge of Premier League safety, but his resurgence in the second half of the season must have made England manager Thomas Tuchel take notice.

The midfielder has scored 13 goals in 35 Premier League games this term, with seven of those strikes coming since the start of March.

In May, Gibbs-White was left out of Tuchel's 35-man England squad for the friendlies against Japan and Uruguay.

However, his recent form has arguably sent him to the forefront of the conversation when it comes to who should be England's number 10 at this summer's World Cup.

For 20 minutes during Nottingham Forest's 3-1 win at Chelsea on Monday, Cole Palmer and Gibbs-White were on the pitch together.

Both players are aiming to convince Tuchel that they deserve their place in the England squad and, in particular, as the first choice in the number 10 role.

Palmer started the match for the Blues, while Gibbs-White came on for the second half. Within six minutes the latter had provided an assist, while Palmer had a match to forget across his 90 minutes on the pitch, seeing a penalty saved and struggling to create opportunities.

Palmer has been hampered by injuries this season and that will no doubt have impacted his campaign, during which he has managed just five goal contributions.

Gibbs-White is in much better form than Palmer, but his problem remains that the number 10 is a crowded position.

Also vying for that role is Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, Arsenal's Eberechi Eze, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Manchester City's Phil Foden.

Of those players, Rogers and Gibbs-White have clocked the most minutes for their clubs this season - at least 1,000 more than the others have managed.

Gibbs-White has the most goal contributions from open play with 16 - 12 goals and four assists, with Rogers two behind on 14.

However, no-one is even close to Gibbs-White for form since the turn of the year with 12 of his 16 goal contributions having come since the start of January.

In comparison, Rogers has the second most from the other contenders in that time with four.

"It does put him in the conversation regarding the England squad," said former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy on Match of the Day last month of Gibbs-White's form in 2026.

"When you're looking as a manager for creative players on who is in form, who is scoring goals and impacting games, some of the other players on the list are not playing as well as him."

An issue for Gibbs-White in previous seasons was his lack of goals, but they have been flowing with this the first time he has hit double figures in a campaign.

"He also gets back and helps defensively so I can't heap enough praise on him. He has been unbelievable.

"He turns up in the big games and he can win games on his own. I don't know why he's not getting a call-up because he can't be doing any more than what he is doing."

Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, Gibbs-White is an injury doubt for Nottingham Forest's Europa League semi-final second leg against Aston Villa on Thursday

England's final World Cup squad must be submitted by Saturday, 30 May.

However, the Three Lions have no friendlies lined up before then, so Gibbs-White has the remainder of the season at club level to prove his worth to Tuchel.

Forest have Premier League games against Newcastle, Manchester United and Bournemouth remaining, and at least one more fixture in the Europa League as they take on Aston Villa in the semi-finals of the Europa League on Thursday.

If Gibbs-White can play a key role in Forest winning a European trophy, then that will surely boost his international hopes.

However, he was taken off 20 minutes after coming on against Chelsea following a clash of heads with Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez that left him with a nasty wound which required stitches.

He now faces a race against time to be fit for the semi-final second leg against Villa - with Forest leading 1-0 on aggregate.

"I don't know if it is a bit late for him to get a call-up now but in my eyes he deserves it," Perch added.

"All he can do is perform for his club - and that is what he is doing - and Tuchel can't ignore him for too much longer."

Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

Get football news sent straight to your phone

Top storiesArsenal reach Champions League final for first time in 20 years

Is Gibbs-White favourite to start as England's number 10?

Rahm eligible for Ryder Cup after striking tour deal

An icon's extraordinary story from child prodigy to global star

Sir David Attenborough recalls his first natural history expedition

Take a train journey across South Korea with Michael Portillo

Could you make some money simply by switching banks?

Is Gibbs-White favourite to start as England's number 10 at World Cup?

The family sacrifices that helped Wu become world champion

Adriano, Samba, R.Larcos - ranking the most iconic video game footballers

A remarkable finale - but will 13 chaotic minutes cost Man City title?

Man City's title hopes dented despite late Doku stunner in six-goal thriller. VideoMan City's title hopes dented despite late Doku stunner in six-goal thriller

Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week?

What Champions League failure means for 'broken club' Chelsea

How De Zerbi brought life to sinking Spurs

'He's gone missing' - Hill questions Russell's mindset Video'He's gone missing' - Hill questions Russell's mindset

What would it cost England and Scotland fans to go to World Cup?

Three red cards for hair pulling in 2026 - is it time to change law?

The remarkable life of Zanardi, a 21st century hero who inspired millions

Is Saudi Arabia's sports revolution unravelling?

Why was Mudryk given ban in secret and what happens now?

A golden period for snooker - but are UK clubs returning from doldrums?

'I lost myself' - Bright on retirement, abuse and the future

Lomu, Wilkinson, Pollock? Rugby's search for a crossover star