Gareth Southgate has broken his silence on the curious case of Ben White, delivering a definitive update on the Arsenal defender's self-imposed exile from the England squad just months before Euro 2024.
The Three Lions boss revealed that despite White's exceptional club form, the door remains firmly closed after the player himself requested not to be considered for selection. This bombshell revelation comes amid swirling rumours linking the versatile defender with a summer move to German giants Bayern Munich.
The Unwanted International Break
Southgate's comments paint a picture of a player content with focusing solely on his club career. "He's not available to us," the England manager stated bluntly. "There's no issue between us at all and I also should say there's never any issue with [coach] Steve Holland because that has been mentioned in articles and I don't like that."
The situation first emerged during the March international break, when White, reportedly due to a perceived lack of interest in the England setup, asked to be left out of the squad. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta subsequently confirmed the defender's unavailability for national duty.
Bayern's Radar and Tuchel's Interest
Compounding the intrigue are strong reports from Germany that outgoing Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel is a huge admirer of White. With the Bavarian club facing a defensive rebuild, the 26-year-old's ability to play both centre-back and right-back makes him an attractive, albeit expensive, target.
This potential transfer saga adds another layer to White's decision to step away from the international scene, raising questions about his long-term ambitions and focus.
A Closed Door for Euro 2024?
Southgate made it clear that the ball is entirely in White's court. "I have to respect that. I want to leave the door open for him because he's a good player who can make a difference for England," he explained. However, he emphasised that the initiative for a return must come from the player himself.
This stance leaves White's participation in this summer's European Championship in Germany highly unlikely, barring a dramatic change of heart. For now, one of the Premier League's most in-form defenders will be watching the tournament from home, his international future hanging in the balance.
