With the game barely a minute old, the City Ground had already made its feelings known with deafening volume.On three separate occasions in the build-up to kick-off, the 27,000 or so Nottingham Forest fans had raised their voices to herald the name of their captain and talisman, Morgan Gibbs-White. More than once, they had also offered chants aimed at Thomas Tuchel, the tone of which you can probably guess.The England head coach clearly did not see enough in Gibbs-White to include him in his 26-man squad for the World Cup. But you would have been able to hear what thousands of Forest supporters thought of that decision from the other side of this city.And Gibbs-White himself underlined the question marks about his exclusion, with a moment that ultimately helped Vitor Pereira’s side to end an eventful Premier League season with a point against their bogey team, Bournemouth. With an emphatic sweep of his boot, Gibbs-White made a clever free-kick routine count, as he hit the crisp shot that earned him his 15th Premier League goal of the campaign.His celebration seemed to say a great deal, as he held up his open hands, fingers outstretched, as if to symbolise the No 10 shirt he carries on his back. There is a strong argument to be made that he has earned the right to wear that same number shirt, with three lions on the front, at the World Cup.Tuchel called Gibbs-White to explain his decision before the squad had been made public. But if his England side finds themselves lacking in creativity, leadership and attacking threat at any point in the coming weeks, he may have to explain it again, on a more public stage.It is certainly a decision difficult to understand. Gibbs-White is armed with the perfect blend of grit and swagger. He is capable of hitting an exquisite pass but will also bust a gut to win the ball back if one of those passes goes astray.Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, with 16 goals, is the only Englishman to score more top-flight goals than he has this season. Watkins achieved that tally in a cohesive side that has pushed hard for Champions League qualification. Gibbs-White has done it amid the chaotic backdrop of a campaign that has seen Forest part company with three managers.Gibbs-White has played a part in 11 goals in his last 10 Premier League appearances, including nine goals and two assists. He was at the centre of the definitive moment of the season, against Burnley. With Forest trailing 1-0 at half-time, Pereira brought on Igor Jesus to play as a No 10 and moved Gibbs-White into a wider role. He scored a second-half hat-trick.Gibbs-White celebrates scoring against Burnley (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Gibbs-White followed up with another goal in the 5-0 win at Sunderland. At Old Trafford, he guided home an audacious finish with what was more of a pass than a shot. It was a moment of genuine brilliance.When Forest have needed him, Gibbs-White has stood tall. When the club made him their then record signing following promotion from the Championship in 2022, it was in the belief that he could evolve into a transformative figure. He has absolutely been that, and many believe he could offer something similar for England.“It is what it is. I know myself that I have done more than enough to be in the squad. I just got on the wrong side of someone’s opinion. I have been on the wrong side of people’s opinions throughout my career, so I’m only going to bounce back,” said Gibbs-White in an interview with Sky Sports after the game.“We had a good conversation. I respect him for calling me and telling me the news. I agreed with what he had to say. I’m glad the season is behind us now. I’m going to concentrate on the summer.”His club manager believes he has done enough to be in the squad on merit already.“What I say to my players is that we must do everything to achieve our targets: go out on the pitch and do everything you can to compete. In the end, the results are out of your control,” said Pereira in his post-match press conference.“This is the same. In my opinion, Morgan did everything to deserve to be in the national team.“But in the end, it is not my decision. It is not his decision. He is disappointed, of course, because he scored the goals and got the assists. He worked hard, he takes responsibility because he is a leader, a talent, a character.“In the end, maybe, you have a country with a lot of strong players — this is the best league in the world — and even for Tuchel it is not easy to select.”Pereira has voiced his belief that Forest must retain the core of their squad, if they are to compete next season — and that view is shared by the Forest hierarchy.There is a reluctant acceptance that Elliot Anderson might depart, if anyone offers the £110million ($148m) or so that could persuade Forest to do business. Manchester City remain the favourites to sign him. But the new contract signed by another of the club’s prize assets, Murillo — which runs until 2030 — is very much a demonstration of intent.And, while we might not get to see Gibbs-White in an England shirt at the World Cup, thousands in Nottingham will be buoyed by the thought that they will get to see him shine in the Garibaldi red again next season.May 25, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms