England manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed his intention to approach Arsenal defender Ben White about a return to the national team.
White, who left England’s 2022 World Cup squad during the group stage for personal reasons, has not featured for the Three Lions since March 2022.
Tuchel, set to officially begin his tenure as England boss on 1 January, emphasised a desire for a fresh start. “I will reach out to him,” Tuchel stated. “It should be a clean start and a clear narrative.”
White’s absence from international football has been a topic of ongoing discussion.
In March, Arsenal teammate Declan Rice spoke highly of the defender, calling him “unbelievable” and urging him to reconsider. “Hopefully he does change his mind on that because having a player like that in the squad, who’s performing well in the Premier League, it’d be a great addition to the squad,” Rice told talkSPORT.
Rice also praised White’s versatility, saying, “For England, he can play as a centre-back and at right-back, as an inverted full-back. Now he’s a really key tool that we could have. If you know him as a person and as a player like I do, he’s such a good guy. He’s such a good guy and he’s an unbelievable footballer. Playing for England is the greatest honour you could ever have.”
Since his World Cup exit, White has continued to impress at club level under Mikel Arteta, solidifying his reputation as one of Arsenal’s most reliable players.
However, his decision to step away from international duty has persisted, leaving fans and teammates hopeful for his return.
Tuchel’s remarks signal a determination to rebuild relationships and maximise England’s resources ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Drawn alongside Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra, the Three Lions will require depth and flexibility in their squad, attributes White is well-equipped to provide.
Currently sidelined following knee surgery, White is expected to remain out for several months, as confirmed by Arteta in November.
Despite his injury, Tuchel’s proactive approach highlights the defender’s potential significance to England’s future plans.
Whether White will reverse his decision remains uncertain, but the door to his return appears firmly open under Tuchel’s leadership.