Ben White’s decision not to play for England is not detrimental to the Three Lions’ push for major international silverware.
That is the view of former Aston Villa and Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore, who believes the Arsenal star’s decision to snub Gareth Southgate’s call-up was ‘a disgrace’.
The defender, according to The Athletic, doesn’t want to represent his country for several reasons, including finding it difficult being further down in Southgate’s pecking order.
Confirming the 26-year-old’s stance, Southgate, after announcing his latest England squad earlier this week for this month’s upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, as quoted by Sky Sports, said: “On form, I can’t sit here and say [White] doesn’t deserve to be in. John McDermott had a call from Edu last week to say Ben didn’t want to be considered for England squads at this time.”
Stan Collymore on ‘disgraceful’ Ben White
And reacting to the shocking news, Collymore thinks the Arsenal defender’s decision to snub his country should see him excluded from all future selections, regardless of which manager is in charge.
“What a disgrace,” he said in an exclusive interview.
“If every player took that same stance, international football would be chaos and probably couldn’t happen. Being called up to represent your county is an honour, you should want to do it regardless of whether you’re the first name on the manager’s teamsheet or the last.
“[…] I don’t think it’s a great loss to England. White is having a decent season for Arsenal, but I don’t think he’s good enough anyway.”
Man City duo better options?
Going on to suggest White isn’t as good as other options, Collymore added: “Credit where it’s due — he is certainly versatile — he can play at right back, centre-back and even drift into midfield, but there is no way he’s going to get in ahead of Kyle Walker or John Stones, both of whom can also play those roles.
“So for me, thanks but no thanks, Mr White. We know you want to be a nailed-on starter, but you can’t always get exactly what you want, especially at international level and especially in tournament football. It’s a squad game, and if you’re lucky enough to get a chance, it’s on you to take it, but he’s refused the opportunity, so in my opinion, he should never be called up again — regardless of who is in charge.”
Do you agree with Collymore? — Is White’s exclusion detrimental to England, or are they just as strong without him? — Let us know in the comments below.
“What a disgrace,” he said in an exclusive interview.
ie: no-one else cared for Collymore’s opinion so its exclusive in that regard.
Disgrace?
Clearly White has been offended at the ‘bullying’ by Steve Holland. Maybe Holland was right to call out White in front of his peers. I imagine not though; as the wider opine suggests it was a fairly personal attack framed around White’s ‘reputation’ for not obsessing about football when off the pitch.
His performances in an Arsenal shirt suggest this ‘lack of professionalism’ is no such thing and has no bearing on his ability or on pitch dedication. White then, is simply refusing to work with a workplace bully. Thats his right- and should be applauded. Hardly disgraceful eh?
He needs to watch the match between Arsenal vs Bentford where White provided the assists for both goals.
And his performance for the last few match speak by itself. White is an integral part of this Arsenal team and contributed to the current position in the table.
I’d love to see Arsenal won the EPL with White in their starting eleven 😍🥰
Southgate is scapegoating white for coming out public & his to blame if they fails to win the euros, it’s a national team for God’s sake, he can choose to play & not to at the moment as it is a personal reason but Southgate too it personally n went public, he would ve said we have too many LB like e always claim n we can’t pick them all
For once I agree 100% with Stan , White has already told every
Man & his dog that he never watches Football other than
Watching himself to I’mprove his game. So do you really think
He going to spend a few weeks sat on the bench watching others
If not selected ? As an Arsenal fan since 1957 , Ben White is one
Of the most over rated players in this squad, and certainly not a
Great loss for England.
clueless
Ben White at the moment is the best right back among the lot. I don’t know what this so called pundit is talking about.
White has his issues with the national staff. Sometimes, you need to do this to get respected.
That is a correct decision from White coz u can’t play striker/midfielder in no. 2 when I’m the only available no. 2 for selection remaining on bench after two players (no. 2) got injured in that one game. Its a clear sign thy never wanted him.