Gibbs-White calls viral England call-up clip with fiancée 'just banter' after Tuchel dig

Morgan Gibbs-White has dismissed the viral clip of him leaving a family holiday to join England’s squad as nothing more than a private joke, insisting he never hesitated once the call came to replace the injured Cole Palmer.

The 26-year-old Nottingham Forest midfielder was not part of Thomas Tuchel’s original squad for the September international break, but was drafted in after Palmer withdrew late. A video of Gibbs-White departing Dubai — mouthing the words to a High School Musical song alongside his fiancée Britney De Villiers — spread rapidly across social media.

“It was just me and my missus having a bit of banter, we do it all the time,” Gibbs-White said. “We were just trying to make a bit of light out of a situation that was difficult for her and the kids, but she completely understood. She made light of it. We always do silly, stupid stuff like that, and it’s just us being funny together, and in a good relationship.”

The turnaround was swift. Gibbs-White said he arrived at the England hotel at around 8pm Dubai time only to receive a call-up text two hours later, meaning he spent more time in the air than at the resort. He was unequivocal about his priorities. “Playing for my country comes first, 100 per cent. There was no question in my mind. No debate whether to come. It’s an honour to represent your country, whether it’s for 10 minutes or sitting on the bench.”

The clip was not the only moment De Villiers drew attention during the break. When Gibbs-White was initially omitted, she posted on Instagram highlighting that he was the only Premier League player to have created five or more chances in every match he had played so far this season.

Tuchel had explained the original exclusion by pointing to the number of attacking midfielders already in the squad. “It makes no sense to nominate three, four, five number 10s,” the England head coach said. “It just does not help anyone. We can see the form that Morgan is in. It’s one thing to be nominated, but it’s another thing to perform.”

Gibbs-White has now earned eight England caps since his debut and made brief appearances against both Spain and Czechia during the break. England face Croatia in Rijeka at the weekend, where he could add to that tally.