Scout Report – Morgan Gibbs-White
According to various reports, Liverpool are leading the race to sign £5m rated midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White from Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
It is believed Jurgen Klopp will move for the England U-17 international when the transfer window reopens in January. Apart from Liverpool, Gibbs-White has also drawn interest from north London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham.
With the young midfielder attracting elite Premier League interest, let’s take a close look at who exactly Morgan Gibbs-White is and what he would bring to the table if he joins Liverpool.
Origin
Born on 27 January 2000 in Stafford, England, Morgan Gibbs-White joined Wolverhampton academy aged 8 and has played for the club’s academy at all age groups. He grew up in Stafford and attended Sir Graham Balfour High School.
Gibbs-White made his first-team debut earlier this year, coming on as a substitute in Wolves’ 2-0 League Cup win over Stoke. Since then, he’s made more than a dozen first-team appearances and has gone on to enjoy success on the international stage too.
The midfielder started 3 games for England at the U-17 World Cup in India and scored 2 goals. Gibbs-White came off the bench to score a crucial goal as England Under-17s lifted the World Cup with a come-from-behind 5-2 win over Spain.
The 17-year-old was relieved to just take part in the World Cup after his participation in the tournament was thrown into doubt due to a foot injury he suffered towards the end of last season. In the end, the win over Spain in October was a sweet revenge for Gibbs-White and co. after losing the final of the Under-17 European Championships to the same opponent earlier this year.
What Does He Offer?
A versatile midfielder, Gibbs-White can play a holding midfielder’s role or in an advanced position. He is quite adept at holding on to the ball and is good when it comes to building possession. The player remains focused throughout the game. His concentration almost never wavers and is a treat to watch when given the freedom to play.
Gibbs-White’s strength lies in his smart movement. The midfielder often looks to influence the game and make his presence felt. Being a teenager, he already looks a cut above most of his peers in England. To add to his clever movement, the midfielder plays with maturity and has a good reading of the game.
At 5 ft 7 1/2 inches, the player struggles to cope with aerial duels and often gets bullied. However, someone who is very mature for his young age, Gibbs-White is destined for bigger things.
What Does The Future Hold?
Gibbs-White saw his stock rise last month after his exploits in the recently concluded Under-17 World Cup with England. His performances have caught the eye of some of Premier League big guns and is valued at just £5m.
The young midfielder is contracted to Wolves until 2019 and said in an interview last week that he is happy to bide his time and develop his game at Molineux. However, if Klopp wants Gibbs-White, he has to pay a bit more than his current value in order to lure him to Anfield.
Gibbs-White is an exciting English talent, quick and good at going forward but it remains to be seen how quickly he can adapt to the Premier League if he decides to move.
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