A former Wolves technical director has voiced strong support for Morgan Gibbs-White to be included in England's World Cup squad, arguing the Nottingham Forest captain has earned his place through outstanding form.
Gibbs-White's rise since leaving Wolves
The 26-year-old midfielder, who came through Wolves' academy, was sold to Nottingham Forest in 2022 for £42.5 million after making 88 senior appearances for the club. Since then, he has become a key figure at the City Ground, helping Forest maintain their Premier League status, earning the captain's armband, and breaking into the England senior squad with four caps.
Scott Sellars' backing
Scott Sellars, who worked as technical director at Molineux and coached Gibbs-White in the academy, told BBC Sport he was surprised the player was left out of Thomas Tuchel's 35-man provisional squad. Sellars, now at Al Jazira Club in the UAE, said: "I always felt he would play for England and at youth level he compared to the best. I worked with Phil Foden at City, so I knew his level and I always felt Morgan was around that."
Sellars emphasised Gibbs-White's mentality and attitude: "His mentality and his attitude would mean he would get opportunities to play at the highest level. Anything he's done in his career has been no surprise. His attitude was the first thing I saw at about 15, just his enthusiasm and how he got around the game and wanted to get on the ball."
World Cup credentials
Discussing Gibbs-White's suitability for the World Cup, Sellars added: "When he's played for England, his performances have been of a high quality. He's bringing goals and at World Cup level games can be so tight, it can be on people who've got that quality of finish win you the game. I'm surprised he wasn't in the 35 [man squad]. If you're looking at form, I'm even more surprised."
Sellars believes Gibbs-White is versatile enough to cover multiple roles: "He probably more of a complete midfield player than a number 10. If other players are not on form, one or two injuries as well which can always happen, then I think he's certainly worth a place in the squad."
