Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White has hailed a “crazy” 2017 and insisted that the quality surrounding him at the Championship leaders is aiding his development.
The 17-year-old who won the Under-17 World Cup with England last month, appeared in the Wolves U23 side last year in the Checkatrade Trophy before going on to make his first-team bow while still 16 during Wolves FA Cup third round victory at Stoke in January.
However, despite going on to make seven appearances in the Sky Bet Championship during 2016-17, he is yet to make a league appearance this term with a foot injury initially hampering his preparation for the current campaign.
The competition for places at Molineux has also intensified since the arrival of manager Nuno Espirito Santo in the summer and a recruitment drive that has included the capture of £15m Portuguese international midfielder Ruben Neves, though far from being deterred Gibbs-White insists that he is delighted to be in such company.
“I feel privileged to be part of such a big club. The players that the manager has brought in are unbelievable,” Gibbs-White told BBC West Midlands.
“To play with some of these amazing players is really good for my development and I can build off them.”
“I have spent a while at this club and I love it,” he continued. “The fans have been amazing and supported me throughout. 2017 has been a crazy year with making my Wolves debut and pushing for the first team from there. Then I got injured and had a setback but the physiotherapists pushed me to get me where I am today.”
Gibbs-White scored England’s second goal as they came from 2-0 down to beat Spain 5-2 in the Under-17 World Cup final but admitted that a hairline fracture of the foot had almost put paid to his hopes of playing in the tournament.
“I was lucky to go to the World Cup and I built my way to start in the quarters, semis and final and it really was so positive,” Gibbs-White added.
“I still can’t find the words to describe how crazy the experience was. To do it with such a great bunch of lads, I could ask for anything more.
“When I scored the equaliser I thought ‘we are actually in this now, come on’. As soon as the final whistle went it was crazy, we were all jumping on each other. It was very special.”
