How Morgan Gibbs-White went from frustrated talent to the brink of an England cap after evolving from boy to man at Forest… and the words tattooed on his wrist he lives by

Morgan Gibbs-White was initially too nervous to introduce himself to Wayne Rooney, but this week hopes to fulfil a lifelong dream by following the same path as his idol.

Gibbs-White’s motto is “Why save the good stuff for later?” – the words are tattooed on his wrist – but in this case he certainly had to take his time.

Seven years after helping England win the Under-17 World Cup and six years after making his Premier League debut, the midfielder has finally broken into the first team and – barring injury – is expected to make his debut in the upcoming Nations League matches against Ireland and Finland.

The 24-year-old has come close before. Steve Cooper was manager of that Under-17 team and signed Gibbs-White twice, first on loan from Wolves to Swansea and then for £25m at Forest. Cooper has made no secret of his admiration for Gibbs-White, so much so that when he joined Forest the Welshman was getting calls from former colleagues at the FA saying: ‘I see you’ve signed your man.’

The price tag, which could rise to £42.5million, raised eyebrows at the time, but Cooper deserves much credit for transforming him from an undiscovered talent into a proven Premier League footballer so quickly.

Barring an injury, the midfielder will make his debut in the upcoming Nations League matches

Cooper’s positive reports to the England staff undoubtedly helped Gibbs-White’s cause. During a session with the Under-21s at St George’s Park, the youngster was invited to train with the senior team and made a strong impression.

As Gareth Southgate looked ahead to Euro 2024, he and assistant Steve Holland travelled to the City Ground to watch Gibbs-White play in Forest’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester United in January 2023.

If Post Sport revealed, Holland visited the club’s base just outside the city the following day and, although Gibbs-White was not training, the two had long conversations. The message was clear: keep doing what you’re doing. You’re not far away.

Gibbs-White never made it into Southgate’s squad, although he did help England win another trophy – this time the European Under-21 Championship in the summer of 2023.

Perhaps it is no coincidence that the call has come, as Gibbs-White has grown immensely off the pitch. His football mentality – train hard, play hard, demand more from your team-mates, overcome adversity – is top-notch, but now his demeanor has developed impressively.

Gibbs-White’s motto is: ‘Why save the good stuff for later?’ – words tattooed on his wrist

Steve Cooper deserves credit for transforming him into a proven Premier League footballer

At Wolves and during his early days at Forest, Post Sport understands that Gibbs-White can be charming some days, but less so on other days.

Over the past year, Gibbs-White has transformed from boy to man, and is believed to have fully grasped the idea that the job of a Premier League footballer is not limited to training and matches.

There are other responsibilities, too, and Forest staff are delighted with Gibbs-White’s progress in that area. His partner, Britney De Villiers, gave birth to the couple’s first child, son Greyson, last November.

Newcastle and Aston Villa are believed to have made tentative enquiries about Gibbs-White this summer, but he is in his element at Forest. Not only is he the first-team’s most important man, but coaches have also praised the way Gibbs-White takes the time to advise the club’s youth players.

Negotiations are expected to take place this season over a new contract that would put Gibbs-White at the top of Forest’s pay scale as the club seek to secure their star player.

In football, things can change in a heartbeat. At the moment, however, Gibbs-White has no desire to move on. The family recently moved to a new home in the Nottingham area and Gibbs-White feels loved by everyone at the club.

Gibbs-White is in his element at Forest and over the past year he has gone from a boy to a man

He has been advised to keep a close eye on how experienced England players conduct themselves during training camp

Keeping his cool is important now, especially if he performs well for England. He should feel right at home. Lille midfielder Angel Gomes has also earned his first call-up and is good friends with Gibbs-White from their junior days.

Gibbs-White has been advised to keep a close eye on how England’s stars are behaving, particularly Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice. The trio are as impressive off the pitch as they are on it and if Gibbs-White can pull that off, England will have a number of players.

He is happiest as a No. 10, just behind a striker, and has told friends how much he also enjoys playing in a slightly deeper midfield role.

Gibbs-White is never afraid to attempt a risky pass and realises that in international football keeping the ball is more important than ever.

“He has that football intelligence,” says one coach from his early days. “He could wear number 10, number 8, number 4. If you asked him to play right back, he could do it because he understands the game.”

If Gibbs-White behaves well off the field, England will have a number of players

That coach named Steven Gerrard to illustrate his point, but there is another well-known English player who can read the game just as well.

A Manchester United fan growing up in Staffordshire, Gibbs-White would try to imitate Rooney on weekend mornings before going home with his father, amateur footballer Kirk White, to watch him on television.

“He was the manager of Derby when I was on loan at Sheffield United but when we played them I was a bit nervous about approaching him,” Gibbs-White said. Post Sport in a 2023 interview. ‘I was crazy about him, so when I saw him in person, I was like, “Woah.”‘

There aren’t many players who will outshine Rooney, but if Gibbs-White meets his hero again he will be happy to look him in the eye.