Premier League star should be fuming over squad decision – Kobbie Mainoo can count himself lucky

Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White was 'unlucky' not to make Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad.

That's according to talkSPORT's chief football correspondent Alex Crook, who is a huge fan of the ex-Wolves midfielder.

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Tuchel confirmed his picks on Friday as England gear up for UEFA Nations League meetings with Spain, Czechia and Croatia.

The Three Lions boss brought the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer back into the fold, while youngsters Alex Scott and Rio Ngumoha also made the cut.

What did Thomas Tuchel say about Morgan Gibbs-White?

Tuchel conceded that Gibbs-White, who has chipped in with one goal and two assists from his opening four Premier league games, was close to making the England squad as he explained his decision following Friday's announcement.

He said: "It makes no sense to nominate three, four, five No.10s. It just does not help anyone.

"We can see the form that Morgan [Gibbs-White] is in.

"It's one thing to be nominated, but it's another thing to perform, this also counts."

However, Crook believes Gibbs-White should have received a call up for the extended international break.

Speaking live on air immediately after the squad was confirmed, Crook said: "Morgan Gibbs-White unlucky again to miss out."

He then added: "And can I just say on Gibbs-White, he must be thinking: 'What do I need to do to get in this England squad?'"

His comments resonated with Forest fan Mick, who called in to discuss his disbelief over the 26-year-old's omission.

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Mick added that he felt Gibbs-White should have made the cut over Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.

Mainoo shone for United in the second half of last season, forcing his way into the England World Cup squad.

However, the 21-year-old didn't register a single minute of gametime for the Three Lions in North America over the summer.

What has been said about Morgan Gibbs-White's omission?

Crook agreed with the Forest fan, adding: "I don't disagree, I think he's playing really well for Manchester United.

"But he obviously didn't do enough in training to impress Tuchel at the World Cup.

"So I would take that argument on board, even as the president of the Kobbie Mainoo Fan Club."

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talkSPORT's Sam Matterface then had his say on Gibbs-White's omission, as he said: "I think we said this at the World Cup, out of all the players that hadn't been called into the squad, he was the most unluckiest.

"Because he played so well at the end of last season."

Former Three Lions international Gabby Agbonlahor then interjected, as he simply stated: "I don't see him [ever] have a bad game."

Continuing with his view, Matterfacethen remarked: "I always think if he's not picking him, there must be a reason behind it.

"Whether it's that he doesn't fit into that team, whether it's something with the team dynamic, whether the fact that he thinks actually going forward he's not going to use him.

"And if he's not using him, then maybe he is not as malleable around the squad if he's not playing, as if when he's in the starting XI, he's great, and when he's not, it's a bit more difficult, I don't know.

"There's all different reasons and I'm not suggesting for one minute that that is the case, it won't just be, 'His stats are great, so put him in.'

"Because if that was the case and we picked the squad on stats, it would be a very different 26."

Having the final say, Crook then said that even though he may not be a starter, Gibbs-White is more than good enough to warrant a place in Tuchel's squad.

He stressed: "There's a difference of being in the squad and being in the team, isn't there?

"Is he going to get ahead of [Jude] Bellingham and [Morgan] Rogers? Probably not. But that doesn't mean he's not worthy of a place in the squad."

Who is in the latest England squad?

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Jason Steele, James Trafford

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarrad Branthwaite, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Nico O'Reilly, Jarrell Quansah

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Alex Scott

Attackers: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Rio Ngumoha, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka

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