Ben White: Thomas Tuchel will ‘reach out’ to Arsenal defender over possible England return - ‘Should be a clean start'
Published 13/12/2024 at 19:58 GMT
England manager Thomas Tuchel has opened the door for Arsenal defender Ben White to return to the national team set-up. White, 27, was last part of an England squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar before leaving the camp for personal reasons. Speaking at the 2026 World Cup qualifying draw in Zurich, Tuchel said he plans to offer White a "clean start" with The Three Lions.
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Incoming England manager Thomas Tuchel plans to "reach out" to Arsenal defender Ben White over a proposed "clean start" with the national team.
White was last involved in a Three Lions squad during the 2022 FIFA World Cup under Gareth Southgate, but left the camp in Qatar for personal reasons after not making an appearance during the group stage.
Tuchel, who officially begins his role on January 1, 2025, was present at Friday’s World Cup 2026 qualifying draw and revealed his plans to bring White back into the fold.
"I will reach out to him," Tuchel told reporters in Zurich. "It should be a clean start and a clear narrative.
"I will be in the stadiums from January. I will also not distract the players and they should just know, 'Okay, the boss is there from January'."
Ahead of UEFA Euro 2024, Southgate said White had made himself unavailable for selection.
White, who can occupy multiple positions in defence, last represented England in March 2022, when he played 45 minutes as a right-back in a 3-0 win over Ivory Coast.
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Since making his England debut in June 2021, White has picked up four Three Lions caps, all of which came in friendlies under Southgate.
White made his England debut one month before joining Arsenal from Brighton & Hove Albion in a £50 million move.
Since then, the defender - who started at centre-back before cementing his place as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice right-back - has made 146 appearances for The Gunners.
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And White’s signing has been integral to the club’s recent push for Premier League success over the last two campaigns.
However, after missing only a handful of games during his time in north London over the past four seasons, White is currently sidelined with a lengthy injury.
During the last international break, the 27-year-old had surgery to treat an ongoing knee problem and is expected to be out for "months".
England will take on Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra next year in their quest to reach the 2026 World Cup finals, to be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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