Gibbs-White 'doing everything he can' - but Tuchel still looks elsewhere

[Getty Images] "I'm still scratching my head about why he isn't in that squad regularly at the moment," said BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray after finding out that Morgan Gibbs-White had once again missed out on a place in the England squad. Thomas Tuchel said the Nottingham Forest player was not included in his squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures because "it does not make sense" to pick any more number 10s. But Gibbs-White, who scored 15 goals and registered four assists last season, has accumulated more goal involvements than any other English midfielder this calendar year. He has also already netted one goal and contributed two assists in Nottingham Forest's opening four games of the 2026-27 campaign. On how close the 26-year-old was to being selected, Tuchel said: "It was close, but it is always the case. It makes no sense to nominate four or five number 10s. It just doesn't help anyone. "We can see the form he is in. He ended last season very strongly, he was a key player in Nottingham Forest avoiding relegation, and we can see him stepping up now. "It is one thing to be nominated, like Cole Palmer getting his ticket back into the squad, but it is another thing to perform for England - and that also counts." Speaking on the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, Fray said: "He can't do much more to get into the England squad, but was I entirely surprised by the decision? No, not really. "Tuchel knew the form he was in at the end of last season and he still didn't take him to the World Cup. "His numbers for 2026 are unparalleled by an English player. I also believe, as a midfielder, he is leading the way in terms of goals and assists this calendar year across Europe's top five leagues. "He is doing everything he can, so I think it says a lot about their relationship. "Tuchel said he didn't want to pick four or five number 10s, which I get, but who are the ones in the best form? Gibbs-White is indisputably at the top of every list right now, so you just cannot make that argument, in my opinion." Listen to the full Gibbs-White conversation and catch up on the City Ground redevelopment plans below or listen on BBC Sounds Explore all Nottingham Forest content on BBC Sounds [BBC]