Ben White playing for England against Ivory Coast in March 2022
Ben White has not played for England since leaving the team’s camp during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar Credit: Shutterstock/Vincent Mignott
Based on footballing ability and consistency of performances, it is quite remarkable that Ben White has made only four appearances for England. Few defenders in the English game, of any nationality, have been as reliable and adaptable in recent years as the 27-year-old, who has developed into one of the Premier League’s most multifunctional players.
Of course, there are wider reasons for White’s lack of game-time on the international stage, which go far beyond his quality on the field. His strained relationship with the previous set of coaches is now common knowledge, even if some of the details remain disputed.
Thankfully for England’s hopes of international success, the departure of Gareth Southgate and the arrival of Thomas Tuchel could herald the return of White to the international stage. Tuchel has said he will contact the Arsenal defender and has insisted that he will have a “clean start” next year.
It remains to be seen whether White truly wishes to return to England duty. For now, he is focusing on his rehabilitation following knee surgery last month. That operation means he will be out of action for a “few months”, in the words of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
If you remove the emotion and off-field disagreements of recent years from the equation, it could be strongly argued that White is the perfect international footballer. The Brighton academy graduate is a versatile, mouldable defender who can play a number of different roles in a number of different ways.
In recent seasons at Arsenal, White has predominantly played as a right-back. At first, he did so almost as a third central defender, rarely pushing forward beyond the halfway line. Gradually, though, he began to add attacking flair to his game, to the extent that he has become a consistent offensive threat as he overlaps on the right flank.
Ben White celebrates scoring in Arsenal's 5-0 win over Chelsea
Ben White has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers and has forged a fruitful partnership with Bukayo Saka down the right Credit: Getty Images/Julian Finney
If Arsenal need White to provide attacking width, he can do it. If they need him to sit deep, creating a back three, he can do it. If they need him to “invert” into midfield, moving inside to help the team dominate possession, he can do it. On the international stage, White covers two positions and fits into at least three different shapes.
An example of his versatility came earlier this season, when Arsenal defender William Saliba was suspended for their meeting with Liverpool in October. White had hardly played at centre-back for two seasons but he slotted in without fuss and produced a superb individual performance against one of the most fearsome attacks in Europe.
In theory, at least, White is perfectly suited to the position on the right side of a defensive trio, if Tuchel wishes to revive the flexible 3-4-2-1 tactical system that helped him to win the Champions League with Chelsea. Such an approach requires players who are as comfortable defending their own box as they are duelling with wingers on the touchline.
Perhaps apart from Kyle Walker — and even he is in the midst of an astonishing collapse in form, from which there may be no return — there is no other English player who is as capable of fulfilling both of those defensive requirements as White.
Whether he would start ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold in a back four is another question. The Arsenal defender does not boast the same creativity, passing range or set-piece prowess as Alexander-Arnold. He is a more solid defender, though, and international tournaments are a squad game. There can be little doubt that the presence of White would make Tuchel’s squad stronger (and, indeed, more streetwise).
You certainly would not find any Arsenal supporters who would happily swap White for any of Tino Livramento, Rico Lewis, Ezri Konsa or Joe Gomez. All of these players have been involved with England in recent months, while White has not. Reece James, meanwhile, simply cannot stay fit.
Perhaps most importantly of all, White helps to bring out the best of Bukayo Saka. For much of the past few seasons, White has provided a platform on the right flank that has allowed Saka to thrive. Their relationship on the pitch is a powerful one, as evidenced by Saka’s goal against Liverpool in October: it was White’s long-range pass, weighted to perfection, that allowed the winger to score a spectacular opening goal.
The pass. The skill. The finish.
Bukayo's 50th Premier League goal ❤️
Video in collaboration with @CorzekM 🤝 pic.twitter.com/j0NSXTiiyE
For Arsenal, Saka has become one of Europe’s most devastating attacking players. If White can help to further enhance Saka’s game for England, then his value to Tuchel becomes even greater. On a purely footballing level, his return to the international fold would be a no-brainer. As for the rest? Time, and the upcoming conversation with Tuchel, will tell.