In November 2022, during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Ben White departed from the England squad, officially citing personal reasons.

One of Thomas Tuchel’s initial challenges as England manager could be persuading Arsenal defender Ben White to rejoin the national team setup.

Since his £50 million transfer from Brighton in 2021, White has been a key player for Mikel Arteta, excelling as both a right-back and a center-half. However, the 27-year-old hasn’t featured for England since leaving the 2022 World Cup squad, with the FA attributing his departure to “personal reasons.” Reports suggest that a critical remark from Gareth Southgate’s assistant, Steve Holland, during a team discussion upset White. When White admitted he couldn’t answer a question about Manchester City’s 2021-22 season, Holland reportedly implied it was due to his lack of interest in football.

White has previously acknowledged that neither he nor his family are avid football fans, and while he enjoys playing and training, he does not watch matches regularly. Following the World Cup incident, former Arsenal sporting director Edu informed Southgate that White preferred not to be considered for international selection, a stance he has maintained ever since.

Tuchel, a Champions League-winning former Chelsea manager, has expressed his intention to reach out to White to gauge his interest in returning to the national team. “It should be a clean start and a clear narrative,” Tuchel said, adding that he will observe players from January and engage with them respectfully, given the packed Premier League schedule.

Former England captain Alan Shearer has urged Tuchel to resolve the situation, stating that while White’s decision must be respected, it would be beneficial to understand his reasoning. Shearer suggested that a conversation with White or Arsenal could clarify the defender’s stance and determine whether he might reconsider.

White, who was part of the Euro 2020 squad but didn’t make an appearance, earned his last England cap in 2022 during a friendly against the Ivory Coast. He has since become a crucial figure for Arsenal, cementing his place as Arteta’s first-choice right-back. Despite facing stiff competition for England from players like Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Reece James, recent developments—Walker’s dip in form, James’ injuries, and Tuchel’s preference for three center-backs—could create a path for White’s return if he changes

his mind.