England national team manager Gareth Southgate is not having it with Ben White after the Arsenal right-back refused England call-up for March international break, MySportDab reports.
England have a two-legged international friendlies against Brazil on March 23 and Belgium on March 26.
Ahead of the two friendlies intended to prepare and streamline the Three Lions squad ahead of the 2024 Euros in Germany in June, Southgate has named his 25-man squad with Ben White omitted from the list.
Addressing the omission of the Arsenal star from the squad, Southgate revealed he wanted to call up Ben White among the 25-man list but was told by Arsenal that he doesn’t want to be included in the squad.
“‘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’s not available to us but the other thing I would say is there’s no issue between us at all and never any issue with Steve Holland because that has been mentioned and I don’t like that,” Southgate says.
We’re still yet to know what happened between Ben white and South Gate.. Southgate is saying they have no issues here
pic.twitter.com/X7YY0ywsvx— Toochukwu (@jeffreyTK) March 14, 2024
Southgate described Ben White’s decision to snub England call-up as a shame and reaffirmed there was no miscues between the player and his coaching staff as UK media houses report.
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Since his impressive outing for Arsenal last season, White has been Gareth Southgate’s favorite defensive option for the Three Lions.
He was included in the England 2022 World Cup squad but exited the tournament prematurely for ‘personal reasons,’ as per England FA.
However, sources close to the England national team revealed Ben White fell out with Gareth Southgate’s assistant manager Steve Holland during 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The genesis of the fallout was attributed to Ben White’s adamance to start the Three Lions World Cup fixtures but was dropped to the bench and drilled by Steve Holland in training sessions.
Trying to wrap his head around his drop from starting lineup, White reportedly clashed with Steve Holland and refused his drill. And the fallout led to his premature exit from the tournament.
However, Southgate downplayed the fallout and added that the doors of England national team is still open to Ben White as he considers him a good option for the team.
