Arsenal star Ben White has been out of the England squad since he left the team during the 2022 World Cup
Ben White of Arsenal arrives at the Emirates Stadium prior to the Champions League tie against Porto(Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Ben White is not in the England squad. It's not exactly headline news – he's not Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane or even Kyle Walker – but it's perhaps more significant than some think.
Because the first-choice right-back of the team at the top of the Premier League has not been picked by his country. His side are the best defensively in the hardest league in Europe, he registered two assists at the weekend and somehow, he continues to be left out of Gareth Southgate's squad.
So why's he not a part of the plans?
Ben White has asked not to be considered for England, according to Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate hasn't named Ben White in an England squad for almost two years (Image credit: Getty Images)
Ben White has apparently asked his manager not to be included for selection. Southgate has responded to the Arsenal star to tell him that the door is open – but admits he isn't 100 per cent sure why White doesn't isn't playing for England.
It's a massive shame… because he's the best player to start in that role for the Three Lions this summer.
Tactically, Ben White is perfect for England (Image credit: Getty Images)
Ben White, meanwhile, can play as a centre-back or a right-back, giving him added versatility from the off. He is defensively sound, has shown this season that he's capable of inverting into midfield and he's able to provide an overlap down the flank. While some players have been specialists for England in the past, with specific traits for managers to build around, White is one that slots into most systems and alongside most other players. He gets the best out of others.
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Including Bukayo Saka, who he already has an established relationship with at Arsenal. Southgate could drag and drop that partnership into his own side.
White already has a relationship with Bukayo Saka, which could easily translate to England (Image credit: Getty Images)
It would be extremely unfair to speculate why the defender left the England camp in Qatar, given that all the FA asked was for “the player's privacy [to be] respected,” with no reason given for the withdrawal, other than “personal reasons”. We won't poke at that – despite the rumours online.
Simply, no one knows for sure why White looks likely to miss Euro 2024 – except for White himself.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
