Liverpool FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Ben White hasn’t been in an England squad since the 2022 World Cup (Photo: Getty)
Thomas Tuchel has explained why Ben White is not in the latest England squad despite the Arsenal star saying he was ready to return to the national team.
White has not featured for his country since leaving the Three Lions camp during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with Gareth Southgate revealing last year that the defender had asked not to be called-up.
Speculation has been rife as to the reasons behind his international exile, especially give his impressive form for Arsenal, with rumours that he had had a falling out with Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland.
But recently, White announced that he was ‘definitely available’ to make his long awaited return to the national team under new head coach Tuchel.
However, the 27-year-old was not included in the latest squad which was announced on Friday ahead of the final weekend of Premier League action.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
England travel to Andorra for a World Cup qualifier on June 7, before playing Senegal in a friendly three days later at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.
Tuchel said White’s absence was down to both personal and physical reason, but said that he was very hopeful of working with the Gunner in the future.
Full England squad to face Andorra and Senegal
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Burnley)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Kyle Walker (AC Milan, on loan from Manchester City)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
‘He was involved in the latest matches of Arsenal but we had a talk and decided now is not the moment because he will become a father very soon,’ the German said in a press conference.
‘The baby is due right on the exact date of the camp. It is his first child and we wish him and his wife all the best.
‘We thought if he comes back it should be with a clear mind and full focus on football which is now not the case. We decided together this is not the camp for him to come back..
‘The second reason is although he played lately I think he can still have 10-15 per cent increase in the physical ability. Given all the circumstances we decided that he is not with us.
‘100 per cent, he was ready to be selected now but the main [reason why he wasn’t] was because of family.’
More to follow…
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Southampton vs Arsenal: TV channel and team news for Premier League final day
MORE: Bundesliga star speaks out on future after Arsenal transfer enquiry
MORE: Viktor Gyokeres’ uncle makes shock claim over Arsenal and Man Utd transfer