27 May 2023 , 21:30
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Steve Cooper says he’s excited by what’s to come from Morgan Gibbs-White.
The playmaker’s signing from Wolves raised more than a few eyebrows last summer as the overall package for the 23-year-old approached £45m.
But he has been one of the stand-out performers for the former European Champions as Forest secured their spot among the elite following last week’s victory over Arsenal.
Gibbs-White was overlooked by England senior boss Gareth Southgate this week but is likely to have limited time off anyway as he is almost certain to be named in Lee Carsley’s Under-21 squad for the European Championships next month.
Cooper says that there has been definite improvement with regular game-time - and he believes the striker can kick-on again.
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He said: “I know he’d love to go and make the final step with England. But he’s only going to do that by doing what he’s been doing for us. You can improve naturally through playing - that’s so important for young players - to get as many games as they can.
“There’s been a brilliant commitment to games and the delivery of performances and, at times, they’ve been eye-catching, haven’t they? There have been moments when he’s really excelled.
“What he’s done - everyone knows his obvious strength in terms of his risk-taking and his wanting to do something with the ball. He’s also added a real maturity to his game and an understanding of the defending side - he’s always worked hard.
Steve Cooper is backing the forward for England recognition“But he’s worked smart as well without the ball - he understands different tactical roles too, that he maybe needs to do something a little different tactically for the team. Then he has more success by doing what we want him to do. So, he’s definitely grown. But the best thing is that there is so much more to come - that’s the exciting bit.”
Gibbs-White was chosen to captain the Under-21s during their friendly victory over France two months ago.
It may be that Southgate will use that - and judge his progress throughout the tournament in Georgia and Romania as a benchmark ahead of next season.
Cooper, who coached Gibbs-White himself as part of the England Under-17s set-up, added: “I’ve worked with him for part of his England journey.
“He’s played at every age group and that’s what the development systemis for - to try and get people into the seniors. I know he’d love to go and take the final step. But he’s only going to do that by doing what he has been doing for us.”