England boss Thomas Tuchel isn't happy with the boos received by Arsenal defender Ben White in the 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay at the Wembley on Friday.
Returning to the Three Lions set-up for the first time in nearly four years, White, 28, came off the bench to open the scoring in the 81st minute. However, a win wasn't to be for the 2020 and 2024 Euro finalists, as Federico Valverde's 94th-minute penalty forced a share of the spoils.
White had pulled out of the England squad during the 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar, without making a single appearance, due to differences with then boss Gareth Southgate's assistant Steve Holland.
The Arsenal defender subsequently made himself unavailable for the March 2024 international break and Euro 2024 under Southgate before returning to the international fold on Friday under Tuchel. However, his second-half introduction was greeted by boos by fans, which didn't enthuse Tuchel (as per Metro):
"I heard he was booed, I didn’t hear it actually on the field because I was involved in the changes and the instructions, so I didn’t hear it, so I think it cannot be the majority.
"There were some boos and a mixed reception for him which I’m disappointed about because of course we protect our players and he was excellent in camp and he deserved to come on, and he also deserved to start, and he almost got us a winner."
The German boss concluded:
"But I also understood it happened to other players before here so he needs to take it on the chin, we will always protect him and hopefully we can put it behind because he is ready to write some new chapters. We are ready to give him the chance so hopefully everyone can move on an accept it."
The Uruguay stalemate ended the Three Lions' six-game winning streak, including five in their perfect 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
How many Arsenal players featured in England's friendly against Uruguay?
England boss Thomas Tuchel - Source: Getty
England boss Thomas Tuchel - Source: Getty
Thomas Tuchel's starting England line-up in the friendly draw with Uruguay on Friday featured only one Arsenal player - Noni Madueke. Another Gunners man - Ben White - featured in the second half, coming on for Fikayo Tomori.
Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka and midfielder Declan Rice are part of Tuchel's 35-man squad for the ongoing international break, but neither player featured against Uruguay.
Going back to the aforementioned game, Madueke came off in the 38th minute following a heavy challenge from Rodrigo Aguirre and later left the stadium in a knee brace.