Thomas Tuchel has pleaded with England fans not to boo Ben White on his return to the international fold after he walked out of the World Cup in 2022
Ben White
White is in line to make his England return against Uruguay(Image: PA)
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Thomas Tuchel has urged fans not to boo Ben White on his England return. But Tuchel also admitted the Arsenal defender owes his teammates an explanation ahead of his first cap since he walked out on England at the 2022 World Cup.
White was called up to the England squad for the friendlies with Uruguay and Japan to end his three-and-a-half-year exile.
England boss Tuchel insisted White was desperate to join up despite the controversy which saw the 27-year-old leave the camp and he has never publicly explained his version of events.
When asked what he hopes from the England fans, Tuchel said: “Support, because he plays for England and we play in a positive moment. We will have some new players on the pitch so I hope everyone can support.
“I can imagine there are some strong opinions out there, but nobody is in camp who has made the strongest opinions, so yeah, he deserves a second chance.
“People have to trust me that he behaves very, very well. He was positive about coming back and was desperate for many months to come back. Now he has the chance
“If you believe it or not, I didn’t hear a story about it. I asked him and he didn’t want to speak about it. I didn’t want to know about it because I think he deserves a second chance. I want to give him a second chance.
“He has not put a foot wrong with me. Something must have happened, because if a player leaves from a tournament it’s never good and it never can be nothing.
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“I’m not sure if ‘apologise’ is the right word, but maybe just to clear the air with the players who were there, I think he has done and will do with the majority of the players who come now. He trains on a very high level, exceptionally good in training.
“The reaction to his call-up was very positive. Within seconds, it was a very positive and emotional reaction from him. He made it very clear how delighted he is to be back. This is what he has shown in the last days.
“Everyone deserves a second chance, but I don’t even know if he did something wrong or what exactly happened. But an explanation among the players who were there, to clear the air, is sure in progress.”
Meanwhile, England defender John Stones is a fitness doubt for the Uruguay game with a calf problem.
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