Each day we pick out a player and cut through the noise to give analytical, objective insight. Friday's focus is on Morgan Gibbs-White.
- Age: 23
- Position: Attacking Midfielder
- Club: Nottingham Forest
- Country: England
Reports that Morgan Gibbs-White is on England's radar after Gareth Southgate's No.2 Steve Holland checked on him during a training session are understandable given the attacking midfielder's form for Nottingham Forest.
Gibbs-White has been the driving force behind an improved Forest attack, inspiring a run of form that has lifted them to the relative safety of 14th place.
Their chief creator this season, the 23-year-old leads the team with four assists from 3.73 expected assists (xA), ranking as a top 15 player in the league in both metrics.
Clearly a massive threat for a team that doesn't get to move forward with too much regularity, Gibbs-White also ranks highly for touches in the attacking third.
He is also outstanding at dribbling when getting up the pitch, a difficult skill considering the advanced positions the Forest man is often in.
Per FBRef, only 10 players in the Premier League have recorded more successful take-ons than Gibbs-White's 27 this term. What's more impressive is his conversion rate, logging that amount from just 46 attempts.
There is, of course, room for improvement in Gibbs-White's game. For instance, his lack of edge in front of goal is one of his few weaknesses this season.
Despite having chances equating to a total of 4.51 expected goals (xG) in the league, Gibbs-White has only scored two goals.
It is a very good sign that Gibbs-White is getting into scoring positions, though, especially when his creative numbers are so high for Forest.
England might come calling soon, and it won’t be too much of a surprise if the data is anything to go by.
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