Gibbs-White's Hot Streak Puts Him in England World Cup No. 10 Mix

Morgan Gibbs-White has played a key role in Nottingham Forest's push toward Premier League safety. His strong form in the second half of the season has put him on England manager Thomas Tuchel's radar.

The midfielder has scored 13 goals in 35 Premier League games this term. Seven of those came since the start of March.

Tuchel left Gibbs-White out of his 35-man England squad for friendlies against Japan and Uruguay in May. But Gibbs-White's recent play has thrust him into the discussion for the number 10 spot at this summer's World Cup.

During Nottingham Forest's 3-1 win at Chelsea on Monday, Gibbs-White and Cole Palmer shared the pitch for 20 minutes. Both seek spots in Tuchel's England squad, especially as the top number 10.

Palmer started for Chelsea, while Gibbs-White entered at halftime. Gibbs-White assisted a goal within six minutes. Palmer had a poor game, with a saved penalty and few chances created.

Injuries have limited Palmer this season to five goal contributions.

Gibbs-White holds better form than Palmer, though the number 10 position remains crowded. Contenders include Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid, Eberechi Eze of Arsenal, Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa and Phil Foden of Manchester City.

Rogers and Gibbs-White have logged the most minutes among them, at least 1,000 more than the others.

Gibbs-White leads with 16 open-play goal contributions, 12 goals and four assists. Rogers trails with 14.

Since January, Gibbs-White has 12 of his 16 contributions. Rogers has four, the next best among the group.

"It does put him in the conversation regarding the England squad," former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy said on Match of the Day last month. "When you're looking as a manager for creative players on who is in form, who is scoring goals and impacting games, some of the other players on the list are not playing as well as him."

Gibbs-White struggled with goals in past seasons. This year marks his first double-digit haul in the Premier League, topping his previous two seasons combined.

Former Nottingham Forest defender James Perch said on BBC Radio Nottingham: "You can't argue with his numbers this season as 15 goals [in all competitions] is brilliant. He also gets back and helps defensively so I can't heap enough praise on him. He has been unbelievable. He turns up in the big games and he can win games on his own. I don't know why he's not getting a call-up because he can't be doing any more than what he is doing."

England must submit its final World Cup squad by Saturday, May 30. The team has no friendlies before then, leaving Gibbs-White club matches to impress Tuchel.

Forest face Newcastle, Manchester United and Bournemouth in the Premier League. They also play at least one more Europa League game, hosting Aston Villa in the semifinal second leg on Thursday after a 1-0 aggregate lead.

A strong showing could help Forest win a European trophy and lift Gibbs-White's international chances.

He left the Chelsea game 20 minutes after entering, following a head clash with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. The injury required stitches.

Gibbs-White now races to be fit for the Villa match. "I don't know if it is a bit late for him to get a call-up now but in my eyes he deserves it," Perch added. "All he can do is perform for his club - and that is what he is doing - and Tuchel can't ignore him for too much longer."