Morgan Gibbs-White has been selected for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, but the German boss was surprisingly more keen to discuss one of his Nottingham Forest teammates.
England fans were happy to see Gibbs-White in the squad after his tremendous efforts for Forest this season, but history dictates that Tuchel won’t give him a starring role.
After only receiving a late call-up in March, Gibbs-White didn’t feature for England in what must have been a humiliating blow for the midfielder, who had initially had to accept that he hadn’t been called up at all.
With the City Ground hosting England’s clash with Senegal, it seems to be the perfect time to give Gibbs-White his chance, but Tuchel spoke more about one of his Forest teammates in his squad announcement press conference.
Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Thomas Tuchel mentions Elliot Anderson in England press conference
Elliot Anderson has had a tremendous season alongside Gibbs-White in Forest’s midfield, leaving some to wonder when he will receive his Three Lions call-up, with the likes of Jordan Henderson still being preferred by Tuchel.
Anderson may still be waiting for his chance, but Tuchel is clearly aware of his talents and addressed his potential role in the senior set-up.
“Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah, Elliott Anderson, and Liam Delap – all names who could play a role for us, but a major tournament comes up for the Under-21s and the intention is they play a big part in this tournament.
“I like it a lot that they have chances to be leaders in this group, to be players we hopefully will rely on. We will monitor them closely but we decided that with these players, they take the responsibility for the Under-21s.”
MORE FOREST STORIES
Forest fans have criticised Tuchel for his treatment of Gibbs-White, but it is hard to argue with the England boss on this occasion, as the Under-21s are competing in the European Championships this summer, a big chance for Anderson to impress.
Thomas Tuchel will be watching Elliot Anderson at the Euros
The pathway for success in the England squad has increasingly gone through the Under-21s set-up, with the youth National teams showing an ability to win tournaments.
Former Forest boss Steve Cooper won the Under-17s World Cup with England with a squad including Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Tuchel is evidently hoping that Anderson and his teammates can achieve something similar in June.
He said: “This is the last chance for them to be picked in the Under-21s. From September they fight for a place in the national team and fight against big, big players. They will embrace playing the Euros with the Under-21s, that is what we want for them, to take a big responsibility.
“[…] Being with the Under-21s will play a huge part in their development.”
The task has been clearly set out for Anderson, then. If he can impress at the Under-21s Euros this summer, Tuchel will be more than willing to add him to the senior squad to play alongside Gibbs-White.