Nottingham Forest fans have every reason to feel frustrated and even baffled by Thomas Tuchel’s squad selections for England, particularly after his recent comments following the 2-0 win over Albania. His remarks about England’s wingers lacking penetration, dribbling impact, and passing accuracy only added fuel to the fire, as they seemed to describe the very attributes that Callum Hudson-Odoi has been delivering for Forest this season. Yet, despite being one of the standout wingers in the Premier League, Hudson-Odoi was completely ignored for England duty, raising concerns over whether Tuchel is selecting players based on reputation rather than form.
This isn’t an isolated incident, either. Morgan Gibbs-White has faced similar treatment, having been left out of the initial squad despite being one of Forest’s most influential players this season. Forest fans were already frustrated when he wasn’t included in the first call-up, and even when he was belatedly added to the squad, he was left out of the match against Albania. It feels like he’s stuck in the same limbo that Hudson-Odoi is in—performing at a high level but still struggling to break into the England squad.
Tuchel may still be in the early stages of his England managerial tenure, but decisions like these send a discouraging message to players who are working hard to prove themselves. If performances at club level aren’t enough to earn a call-up, what exactly is the criteria? Fans, players, and pundits alike have often criticized England managers in the past for sticking to the same core group of players regardless of their current form. This trend seems to be continuing under Tuchel, and while he may argue that he wants to build squad chemistry ahead of Euro 2025, ignoring in-form players could come back to haunt him when the tournament begins.
Hudson-Odoi’s Form vs. England’s Wingers
Hudson-Odoi’s exclusion is particularly hard to justify when comparing his performances to those of the wingers Tuchel did select. Under Nuno Espírito Santo, he has rediscovered his best form, regularly delivering in big moments—including his match-winning display against Manchester City, which even caught the attention of Pep Guardiola. Given that Guardiola, one of the most tactical and detail-oriented managers in football, sees Hudson-Odoi’s quality, it is baffling that Tuchel, who previously worked with the winger at Chelsea, does not.
Statistically, Hudson-Odoi’s case for selection is overwhelming. He has already scored five Premier League goals this season, which is one more than Marcus Rashford, a player Tuchel persisted with despite his struggles against Albania. But the more telling numbers come from Hudson-Odoi’s overall attacking efficiency.
Pass Accuracy: Hudson-Odoi has an outstanding 89.3% pass accuracy this season, which is incredibly high for a winger. England struggled in possession against Albania, and his ability to retain the ball and make the right passes could have been invaluable.
Dribbling Success Rate: Tuchel criticized his wingers for not dribbling effectively, yet Hudson-Odoi has consistently beaten defenders for Forest this season.
Ball Security: Perhaps most impressively, Hudson-Odoi is dispossessed just 1.05 times per match—a stark contrast to Rashford, who loses the ball 2.43 times per match. This statistic alone should have made Tuchel consider him, as it highlights his ability to maintain possession and keep attacks alive.
England’s lack of cutting edge against Albania was evident, and Tuchel’s comments about his wingers not being aggressive enough only make Hudson-Odoi’s absence all the more perplexing. If he wanted more incisiveness in wide areas, there was arguably no better option than the Forest star.
Morgan Gibbs-White: The Forgotten Man
Hudson-Odoi is not the only Forest player who should feel hard done by. Morgan Gibbs-White has been a vital figure for Forest, influencing games with his creativity, vision, and work rate. Yet, despite these qualities, he has been overlooked for key England games. While he was eventually added to the squad late, being left out of the Albania match felt like another snub, reinforcing the notion that he isn’t truly in Tuchel’s plans.
Gibbs-White’s versatility makes him a valuable asset—he can operate as an attacking midfielder, a winger, or even a deep-lying playmaker. His ability to link midfield and attack is something England could benefit from, especially in matches where breaking down a stubborn defense is key. The fact that he wasn’t even given a chance against Albania raises concerns about whether Tuchel is truly open to new ideas or if he is simply sticking to the status quo.
What This Means for England Moving Forward
If Tuchel wants to build the best possible squad for Euro 2025, he must be willing to adapt and select players who are in form, rather than relying on those who have historically performed well. England’s strength has always been its depth, but that depth is meaningless if deserving players are repeatedly overlooked.
Hudson-Odoi and Gibbs-White have done everything right. They have performed well in the Premier League, stepped up in big games, and contributed significantly to their team’s success. Yet, they remain on the outside looking in, while others who have struggled continue to get opportunities.
This approach could become a major issue for Tuchel if England underperform at the Euros. Fans will quickly point to the players who should have been included, and if the likes of Hudson-Odoi and Gibbs-White continue to impress at club level, their exclusions will only look worse in hindsight.
Tuchel may still have time to reconsider his approach, but he must do so quickly. Ignoring players in top form not only hurts England’s chances of success, but it also damages the morale of those working hard to earn their place. If Hudson-Odoi and Gibbs-White continue playing at their current level, Tuchel will eventually have no choice but to take notice—before it’s too late.