Cole Palmer & Phil Foden told they're behind Morgan Gibbs-White in England pecking order as Thomas Tuchel plans for June internationals

Gibbs-White has enjoyed a remarkable campaign under Nuno Espirito Santo, becoming one of the driving forces behind Forest's turnaround after seasons of battling near the foot of the Premier League. His consistent output and creative influence have sparked renewed discussions about his role in the national setup while also being linked with a move to Manchester City as a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.

Despite his excellent performances throughout the season, Gibbs-White was initially omitted from Tuchel’s first England squad earlier this year, a decision that raised eyebrows among supporters and pundits alike. It wasn’t until Palmer withdrew due to injury that Gibbs-White was brought into the squad. However, the former Wolves midfielder didn't get a chance to prove himself on the pitch. He was left out of the matchday squad for the 2-0 win over Albania at Wembley and was an unused substitute during the following fixture against Latvia.

Foden and Palmer are battling their dip in form this season, and this has led Alan Hutton to advocate Gibbs-White’s inclusion in the England starting XI.

Hutton told BoyleSports, who offer the latest Champions League odds: "Gibbs White has been brilliant, absolutely brilliant. He's probably one of the main reasons why Nottingham Forest are where they are at this moment in time. Looking at other options for England, Palmer has kind of dropped off a little bit. Foden is probably not playing as much as he would like. As class players as they are, these things happen. You have drops in form or whatever it may be.

"Even for England, it goes back to the old thing where you think of Morgan Gibbs-White. He wasn't in the initial squad last time, then he got brought in through injuries, which is quite incredible. If you're picking off form, he should definitely be there, but he needs to continue to play at that high level if they want to make the Champions League."

While Palmer and Foden remain central figures in England’s long-term plans, their current situations leave them vulnerable to being overtaken by in-form competitors. With just a few Premier League fixtures left before Tuchel announces his squad, players vying for selection know every performance counts. Gibbs-White has put himself firmly in the conversation - and if his current trajectory continues, he could well find himself starting in an England shirt this summer. The Three Lions resume their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Andorra on June 7 before hosting Senegal in a friendly at the City Ground on June 10.