Nuno Espirito Santo has urged England boss Thomas Tuchel not to overlook Nottingham Forest ace Morgan Gibbs-White simply because he doesn’t play for one of the traditional “big six” Premier League clubs.
Gibbs-White was originally left out of Tuchel’s first Three Lions squad, despite his sparkling form for the Reds this season which has helped put the club in contention for Champions League qualification. The attacker received a late call-up in the end, due to Cole Palmer’s withdrawal, but then did not play a single minute of the two World Cup qualifiers during this international break.
Reports have suggested Tuchel has made clear to players they need to be playing and performing “at the highest possible level” to catch his eye. The Telegraph reported earlier this week that heading elsewhere could offer Gibbs-White “a better chance” of being considered for the No.10 role with England where there is fierce competition.
However, Nuno has argued other countries pick players based on individual form rather than where their teams are in the table. Asked about suggestions Tuchel wants players who represent the Premier League’s so-called biggest clubs, the Portuguese said: “I honestly believe that the England manager should not look only for the teams that are in the ‘big six’, these big teams in England, because you can just look at the other national teams (what they do).
“The national team coaches have players in their own national teams, in their starting XIs, that are in the Premier League and fighting in the bottom of the table. So I honestly believe that all national team managers should look at all the teams. That's why I say England has the largest squad available.”
Gibbs-White is not the only Forest player with England ambitions. Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has three caps to his name from earlier in his career, while midfielder Elliot Anderson was with the Under-21s this time around. Nuno has suggested teenage defender Zach Abbott and club captain Ryan Yates could also be in with a shout of senior representation.
Asked whether he believes Reds players are on the England coaching staff’s radar, Nuno said: “Of course, because we are doing well. The players are committing themselves, playing good, performing really well.
“But England has the largest squad. I think all the English players that play and perform well in the Premier League have natural ambitions to be part of the England squad.
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“So it is with Forest players. Ryan Yates, for example, is a name that we don't always think about, but he has this ambition inside of him. I always believe that makes things better for the player.
“And (there are) more to come. Zach Abbott is in the (England) Under-19s.”
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