Gibbs-White for England, Calvert-Lewin’s injuries are becoming a problem, Chelsea should avoid Neymar and why De Zerbi should reject any offers elsewhere

In his exclusive column for CaughtOffside, former Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore discusses some of football’s biggest talking points, including Morgan Gibbs-White’s potential England call-up, why Premier League clubs should avoid signing Neymar and Roberto De Zerbi’s managerial future, plus much more…

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Morgan Gibbs-White offers something England don’t have…

I was speaking to a Nottingham Forest season ticket holder not too long ago and she said ‘it’s still early days for Morgan Gibbs-White but he looks like he’s going to go on to become special’ – and I have to agree.

In terms of England and the reports that he’s in line for an international call-up, I think it’d be a great decision.

Gibbs-White’s style of play isn’t really something England have. We’ve got a lot of technically gifted attackers, but Jack Grealish obviously operates on the wing, as does Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford, and Phil Foden hasn’t exactly set the world alight for the Three Lions, so Gibbs-White is a really good option for Gareth Southgate.

What he offers is the ability to pick the ball up in the final third and run at opposition defences. Echoing what the Forest season ticket holder said to me – admittedly, it is very early days still but even though Gibbs-White is playing in a team that are in the bottom half of the table, he looks the real deal – he’s been playing really, really well so I urge Southgate to go and watch him in person and stick him in the England squad.

For decades, England have had a major problem finding that attacking midfielder who can make things happen but I think Gibbs-White has the potential to solve that so I’d love to see him given him the opportunity to show the world what he can do.

I know some people will question why he should be ahead of Leicester’s James Maddison, but for me, it’s quite simple – they’re not the same type of player. Don’t get me wrong, I really like Maddison. He’s a good midfielder with incredible long-range passing and is great from set pieces but Gibbs-White is far more dynamic when it comes to beating players. He’s lightning in the transitional phases too and England, given their exciting wide players, needs someone who can pick the ball up and spray those quick passes in order to get others away and on the front foot. Maddison isn’t that guy but Gibbs-White is.

I’d actually have them both…