Ben White is preparing for the new Premier League campaign after returning to pre-season with Arsenal.
Euro 2024 and Copa America took centre-stage this summer and now club football will take over once again, perhaps to the delight of many because quite a lot of fans prefer club over country.
Argentina defended their Copa America crown when they beat Colombia 1-0 after extra-time, with no Arsenal players featuring in that much.
But England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain saw Arsenal players on either side, with David Raya being the number two goalkeeper to Unai Simon.
Aaron Ramsdale is also a back-up on the international stage, whilst Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka started every match for the Three Lions, only to have the same sinking feeling after losing the final in Euro 2020.
Leading up to Euro 2024 in Germany, a lot was made of England’s final 26-man squad, with several big names left out and young stars picked.
Tottenham’s James Maddison was axed from England’s Euro 2024 squad, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish were also brutally booted out by Gareth Southgate.
But one man who didn’t feature – and he made it clear that he didn’t want to be selected – was Ben White despite his stellar season in the Premier League.
Kyle Walker struggles as Ben White watches Euro 2024 final from home
Not many can argue that White was the standout right-back in the Premier League last term and a key reason why Arsenal had the best defence.
But whatever happened between the player and the coaching staff at England probably won’t be fully revealed until Southgate has gone.
Although, you can’t blame some Arsenal fans for thinking that England’s treatment of White was wrong and they have had the last laugh here.
Let’s put it simply, Kyle Walker struggled in the final and was at fault for both of Spain’s goals.
And you just wonder what happens with the Manchester City star next because he will be 36 for the 2026 World Cup, as you feel it’s time to move on.
Will Ben White play for England again?
Sources have told HITC that the Football Association is waiting on Gareth Southgate’s decision, but he is expected to leave his England role.
If that happens, then it probably opens the door for White to return to the set-up because there will be new faces in the dugout.
READ MORE: 50 MOST LIKELY PREMIER LEAGUE, EFL AND EUROPEAN SUMMER 2024 FOOTBALL TRANSFERS
It also needs to be noted that Kieran Trippier is also 32 and you have to question what the future holds for his career on the international stage.
Either way, it would be wise for England to move on from several players ahead of the next World Cup and actually give the next crop a chance, rather than warm the bench like several of them did this summer.
And it was probably wise to have dealt with the White nonsense a lot better because he is one of the best English defenders in the Premier League.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
