Alan Shearer believes a standout Premier League star was “very unlucky” to miss England’s squad despite impressive performances this season.
England legend Alan Shearer has weighed in on Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad, voicing his belief that Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White was “very, very unlucky” to miss out on a call-up for the Three Lions’ upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Tuchel’s squad, announced on Friday, included some notable selections and omissions, with Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson earning their first recalls in over a year.
Meanwhile, young stars like Myles Lewis-Skelly received their first senior call-ups, and Newcastle’s Dan Burn, 32, was handed a maiden selection.
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However, Gibbs-White, despite an impressive season at Nottingham Forest, was not included in the squad to face Albania and Latvia.
“He is very, very unlucky not to be in the England squad, when you look at other players who are, when you look at his performances this season,” Shearer said on Match of the Day as per Daily Mail.
The Premier League’s all-time top scorer pointed out that Gibbs-White has been one of Nottingham Forest’s standout performers this season.
The attacking midfielder has registered five goals and seven assists in the Premier League, playing a key role in Forest’s impressive campaign, which sees them sitting third in the table and pushing for Champions League football.
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Shearer compared Gibbs-White’s omission to some of the players who made the squad, hinting that the 24-year-old deserved recognition over some of those selected.
While acknowledging the strength of England’s squad, the former Newcastle striker made it clear he believes Gibbs-White’s form should have earned him a place.
“If he keeps on playing the way he is, and there’s no doubt that he can do, he’ll be in the England squad in the future. I’ve got no doubt about it,” Shearer added.
Gibbs-White had previously broken into the England setup under interim boss Lee Carsley, earning his senior debut in August 2024.
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He was included in two consecutive squads under Carsley, but Tuchel’s arrival has temporarily halted his international progress. The midfielder will now have to wait until the summer for another potential call-up.
While Gibbs-White missed out, Tuchel’s squad featured a mix of established names and fresh faces. Kyle Walker retained his spot despite struggling for form at AC Milan, while Reece James, Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, and Tino Livramento were also included in the defensive lineup.
Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah and Newcastle’s Dan Burn also made the cut, with young Arsenal talent Myles Lewis-Skelly earning his first senior call-up.
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In midfield, Tuchel placed his trust in a blend of experience and youth. Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Eberechi Eze were joined by Curtis Jones, Jordan Henderson, and Cole Palmer. Manchester City’s Morgan Rogers, who made his England debut in November, also earned a place in the squad.
The attacking options were led by England captain Harry Kane, with Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Solanke, and Rashford rounding out the forward line. Notably, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who had an excellent Euro 2024 campaign, was left out.
There were also injury-related absences, with Bukayo Saka, Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kobbie Mainoo, Lewis Hall, and Noni Madueke all missing out due to fitness concerns. Tuchel also spoke with Arsenal’s Ben White, but despite recovering from knee surgery, the defender was not selected.
Gibbs-White will now have to focus on continuing his strong club form, with Shearer confident that an England recall will come in time. If his performances remain at the level they’ve been this season, it may not be long before he forces his way back into the Three Lions setup.
