14 March 2024 , 22:30
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Gareth Southgate insists he hopes there will be no public backlash against Ben White despite going public over the Arsenal defender’s England snub.
Southgate admitted he would have lost “credibility” had he not explained White’s absence from yet another England squad considering his outstanding form for Arsenal this season.
Gunners technical director Edu rang his FA counterpart John McDermott last week to tell him that White did not want to be picked in the last squad ahead of the Euros.
Arsenal then quickly rushed out a super-positive club video about White signing a new contract on the morning of the England squad announcement to try and take the sting out of the story and win the PR war.
White, 26, who has won four caps, has not featured for England since flying home early from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but has been one of the stand-out defenders in the Premier League this season.
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It remains rare for players to turn their back on England with White joining the likes of Danny Drinkwater, Jamie Vardy and Ben Foster as well as Chris Sutton not wanting to play for England B.
England boss Southgate said: “As I’ve said, in these situations I’ve tried to protect players. Clearly that is impossible at this point. I want to keep the door open and I don’t want there to be a backlash.
“I don’t think it would be right not to state the situation we’re in. We’ve explained to Arsenal we were going to do that. And if you make a decision like that, you do have to stand by it.
Gareth Southgate named his latest England squad on Thursday (PA)“Because the timing of asking to come off the long-list and the fact that I don’t have huge credibility but there would be none if I didn’t pick him on form. But I believe he’s announced he’s signing a new contract today, so there’s no question he’s got the love of the Arsenal fans.”
Southgate was determined to insist there was no issue between White and his No2 Steve Holland after his early exit from the World Cup. But the Arsenal player - who openly admits he is not a big football fan - went to Qatar and did not get a look-in before going home early. It is impossible to see any way back for White while Southgate remains as England manager.
Southgate says he feels it is a “shame” for White not to be involved - especially with England currently facing an injury crisis for the friendlies with Belgium and Brazil - but still hopes he changes his mind.
Southgate added: “For me, the shame is that he’s a player I like. I can see his ability is obvious. I would have liked to have picked him. But it’s not an option that’s open to me. I completely respect it.
Ben White snubbed a call-up for the England squad“The door for me is completely open. Look, we have to say that’s unlikely now for the Euros. Because of the situation this month. But moving forward, I would hope that he feels differently about it.”
Meanwhile, Southgate says Luke Shaw is “touch and go” as to whether he will be fit for the Euros because of a hamstring injury. He was also brutally honest in why he left out Kalvin Phillips despite the midfielder moving to West Ham on loan for the sake of his England career.
Southgate, who gave new call-ups for Anthony Gordon and Jarrad Braithwaite, added: “I couldn't be confident on the performances Kalvin's had in the last few weeks that he could go onto the field and do the job we know that he's capable of.
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“So, there's absolutely no reason why he can't find that form. Nothing would give us more pleasure than having a Kalvin that's back in the rhythm of playing and back to full confidence.”
Full England squad for the friendlies vs Brazil & Belgium
Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Sam Johnstone; Jarrad Branthwaite, Ben Chilwell, Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kyle Walker; Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, James Maddison, Declan Rice; Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashgord, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins.
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