Arsenal defender Ben White has snubbed the chance to play for the England national team.
The right-back has been in the news and he is being criticised by fans for not taking up the opportunity to play for the country.
Gareth Southgate, the England manager, stated on Thursday that Ben White “didn’t want to be considered” for a call-up.
“We had a call from [Arsenal’s sporting director] Edu last week saying Ben didn’t want to be considered for England squads at the moment,” Southgate explained. “I spoke to him post-Qatar and there was reticence from his side. I don’t know why that is, but I respect that. I leave the door open because he’s a good player.
“There is no issue between us at all and there’s also no issue with [assistant manager] Steve Holland, which has been mentioned in articles, and I don’t like that. I have to accept things are false about me, but I’m not prepared for that to happen to my coaching team. That is not the reason Ben is not with us.”
White has not played for England since departing the World Cup camp in November 2022 and was left out of Southgate’s team for the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
The reasons behind him snubbing the chance to play for England have been reportedly revealed.
Why Ben White snubbed England call-up
A report from the Athletic has stated the reasons behind White’s refusal to play for England.
The first reason reported is that the defender found it difficult to be low in the pecking order at England.
Secondly, in contrast to Southgate’s remarks, White and England assistant manager Steve Holland had a verbal altercation in which White was given a dressing-down.
Thirdly, the report suggests that the Arsenal defender was already having trouble adjusting to the regular routines of playing football internationally and participating in tournaments.
White left the England camp at the World Cup in Qatar and flew back to resume training with the Gunners.
Southgate has made it clear that should the English defender want to be considered for selection, he will be welcomed back to the team.
This sounds like a made up story ,the truth is likely that white didn’t want to warm the bench whilst Southgate favourites were picked over him.
Now that they are short of defenders Southgate is trying to get a change of mind.He had had two years to meet the player and talk their differences through.
IWhat differences? The manager has said there isn’t a problem between him and White. Seems to me White has thrown his Teddy out of the pram because he got told off. If he is not prepared to wait his chance on the bench his loss, something he’s gonna regret.
Southgate picks on names whether they are playing well or not on players playing well will only keep the bench warm or not picked at all. So why should players want to be there
Any player who turns down the chance to play for his home country should not be considered again. It should be a privilege to represent your country even if you are placed on the bench. The England coach doesn’t need spoilt brat Prima Donna’s disrupting the work to win trophies.
100% agree
Totally agree Martin he will look back in later years and realize what a fool he has been.
I wish Gareth Southgate hadn’t come out with that long explanation because by so doing he’s created a free-for-all rumour mill to thrive. Now we will question his honesty. The only person that can stop all these questions is Ben White. He’s quiet and I think this will in the long-term remain a powerful weapon for him. Context is also necessary here. Southgate “wanted” a player because his favourites aren’t available. It means White wouldn’t have featured in this discussion if Trippier, Reece and Trent were available. Southgate dismissing the existence of bad blood between him (read coaching staff) and White isn’t entirely accurate because leaks came out about why White had left England camp in Qatar even before he landed in England. The narrative that he had a disagreement with Steve Holland has been consistent. So him painting White negatively is pure blackmail. Luckily, White doesn’t care the bile directed at him. The only winner here is Arsenal. If anyone cares to look carefully who the most vocal critics of White are, they come from fanbases of teams in the top half of EPL. The Liverpool fans seem to be leading. Why, a healthy Arsenal lineup is threat in the EPL this season. And it already shows even from last season. So stop the bs on White. Southgate is only crying crocodile tears 😭. He’s had a year and half to sit down with White to mend issues between his staff and White. Most importantly, the absence of opens a window for many other players in his position. Cast the net wider Gareth.
Sure, England is stacked at right back (albeit limited atm because of injuries). But White is also an excellent center back. I too would be disheartened playing behind Southgate’s go-to men at center back (Harry Maguire?!?). And then to be abused by a coach with no head coaching experience, adding (public) insult to injury. This is an incompetent team selection and man management issue. Not a Ben White arrogance one. Shame on Southgate for pointing the finger back at White.