Gibbs-White emerges as primary candidate for England number 10 role ahead of 2026 World Cup

Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White has emerged as the leading contender for the number 10 position in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup, following a remarkable resurgence in his club form this season. Although he was omitted from the recent 35-man squad for friendlies against Japan and Uruguay, his statistical output has prompted renewed speculation that manager Thomas Tuchel may prioritise his services ahead of the tournament.

The 26-year-old has scored 13 Premier League goals and provided 16 goal contributions, significantly outperforming established rivals such as Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham in recent form. His productivity has been particularly acute since the start of January, with 12 of his 16 goal contributions coming in that period alone. This stands in stark contrast to Cole Palmer, who has managed only five goal contributions this season, a figure hampered by injuries and a struggle to create opportunities during a recent match against Chelsea.

While Gibbs-White was left out of the latest England call-up, his on-pitch impact has been undeniable. In a recent fixture against Chelsea, the Forest midfielder came off the bench and provided an assist within six minutes, while the starting forward struggled to make an impression. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy noted that when managers seek creative players who are in form and scoring goals, Gibbs-White's current output places him at the forefront of the conversation.

The competition for the number 10 role remains fierce, with Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers, and Phil Foden also vying for selection. However, Gibbs-White and Rogers have logged the most minutes for their respective clubs this campaign, clocking at least 1,000 more minutes than the other contenders. Despite this, no other player approaches Gibbs-White's form since the turn of the year, with 12 of his contributions arriving in the final third of the season.

Defensive contributions have also been a talking point for those analysing his case. James Perch, a former Nottingham Forest defender, praised the midfielder's ability to win games individually and noted his willingness to get back and help defensively. Perch expressed bewilderment that Gibbs-White is not receiving a call-up, stating that his numbers in all competitions are brilliant and that he cannot be doing any more than he currently is.

However, uncertainty remains regarding his immediate availability. Gibbs-White suffered a head clash with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez that required stitches, leaving him a doubt for Forest's Europa League semi-final second leg against Aston Villa. With England's final World Cup squad deadline set for Saturday, 30 May, and no friendlies scheduled before then, the midfielder must rely on club fixtures to prove his worth to Tuchel before the selection window closes.