Arsenal defender Ben White has returned to the England squad for the first time since 2022 having replaced ex-Liverpool star Jarell Quansah for the upcoming clashes with Uruguay and Japan
Ben White
Ben White is now back in the England squad(Image: Getty Images)
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Ben White’s return to the England squad has been nearly four years in the making. The Arsenal defender has been handed a place in the Three Lions’ set-up following an injury to Jarell Quansah.
White will now be available to current boss Thomas Tuchel for upcoming friendly games against Uruguay and Japan. And should he make the pitch, it would represent the defender’s first cap for his country since 2022.
White was named in the England squad for the 2022 World Cup but he exited the camp early after an apparent bust-up with Gareth Southgate's assistant Steve Holland.
The exchange is said to have begun when Holland asked Kyle Walker about Manchester City's performance in the previous year. When he asked White a similar question, he admitted that he did not know the answer, triggering Holland to suggest that White was 'not sufficiently interested' in football.
The Arsenal man went on to leave the camp and has not been named in a squad since, with Southgate suggesting the player himself turned down chances to return in 2024. Speaking last year, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: "From what I understand the reasons, it wasn't about letting somebody down.
“He was just telling somebody 'I don't want to let you down and this is the way I feel. I think it's very difficult for me to give you what you need'. So I think it was completely different.
“I can tell you because I was very involved in the moment that that happened and I know how Ben felt and that was for me very, very clear the reason why he made that decision, how he was feeling about it and how he was struggling.
"It was about just facing the situation and saying: 'I cannot handle it now and I am not the best person to represent the country the way I feel right now'. I think not a lot of people would do it. What he did in my opinion was very brave and not a lot of people would have done it. Whatever the outcome is, what I want is Ben to be happy and that he feels fulfilled.”
Ben White
Ben White has not made an appearance for England since 2022(Image: Getty Images)
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Since White’s last call-up, both Southgate and Holland have departed the England set-up, with Thomas Tuchel claiming the role. Asked if he would consider returning following the German’s appointment, he replied: “I’m definitely available.
“I spoke to him a few times. He’s such a nice, nice man — very honest. I haven’t been back for too long. So it’s just about playing now and hopefully making my way back in.”
Meanwhile, Tuchel suggested that the door was always open for White to return and explained why he was not in his selections earlier this season.
He said: “He [White] loves to be back in the squad. It’s a bit too early given the seriousness of the injury he had. I’m delighted he’s back.
“We’ve been monitoring his training — huge compliments to the medical and performance department of the FA and thanks to everyone at Arsenal.
“We are on it and we are speaking to Ben. It’s now a question about getting more minutes and rhythm. He has every chance to be back.”
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