England boss Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Arsenal defender Ben White has asked not to be considered for selection.
The March international break is on the horizon and England have named their squad this afternoon ahead of friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
Jarrad Branthwaite, Jarrod Bowen, Ivan Toney and Anthony Gordon have all been handed call-ups this time around.
Kalvin Phillips hasn’t made the cut as the West Ham United loanee continues to struggle to recapture his best form.
Three Arsenal players are in as Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are all included as usual – but there is still no place for Ben White.
Gareth Southgate explains Ben White situation
White was called up for the World Cup in 2022 but left the England camp in Qatar early, flying home in curious circumstances.
Despite shining on a regular basis for Arsenal, White hasn’t been called up by England since that World Cup exit.
Fans have been left baffled as White has been so impressive, especially of late.
Whether it’s right back or centre back, White continues to excel and his lack of action for England has felt truly bizarre.
England boss Gareth Southgate has now shed some light on the situation, suggesting that White himself didn’t want to be called up.
Southgate claims to have received a phone call from Arsenal technical director Edu, confirming that White would not be available for selection.
Southgate has left the door open for White to return to the England fold but it’s now difficult to see him being in the Euro 2024 squad with international chances running out.
“It’s absolutely the question you should ask because on form, I can’t sit here and say he doesn’t deserve to be in. We had a call from Edu saying Ben didn’t want to be considered for England at this time,” said Southgate.
“It’s a great shame, he’s a player I really like. I spoke to him post-Qatar because I was keen to pick him and there was reticence on his side. I don’t know why that is but I have to respect that and I want to leave the door open to him,” he added, as quote by the Daily Mail.
We would hope to see White in an England shirt again soon but, for whatever reason, the Arsenal star just doesn’t want to play right now.
Whether that situation changes should Southgate move on any time soon remains to be seen, but Arsenal fans will probably use be pleased that White will now have the international break off rather than running the risk of an injury with England.
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