Ben White's final decision on England future emerges after private Thomas Tuchel talks
Arsenal defender Ben White has not played for England since leaving the World Cup in Qatar back in 2022 and has not been named in Thomas Tuchel's first Three Lions squad
by Dan Marsh · The MirrorThomas Tuchel has revealed that Ben White has made himself available for England again, although he will not feature in this month's World Cup qualifiers.
The Arsenal defender, 27, has not featured for his country since leaving the World Cup in Qatar for personal reasons and turned down a spot in Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad.
It had been speculated that White would consider returning to the fold with Tuchel now at the helm.
And the German has confirmed White wants to play for his country again and that it was his decision to omit him this time around give he has only just recovered from an injury.
“He loves to be back in the squad but I think it is too early for him," Tuchel said when he was asked about White's situation in press conference on Friday.
“I just think it's a bit too early given the seriousness of the injury he had. I'm delighted he's back, he's back now in training. We were monitoring the process and huge compliments to the medical and performance department of the FA.
“And thanks to everyone at Arsenal to let us monitor closely so we are on it, speaking to Ben that we are delighted that he is back on the bench. He had a Champions League match now in the second leg and I think now it's just the question about getting more minutes, more rhythm and then he has every chance to be back. He wants to be back, he’s glad to be back.”
While White misses out this time around, his Arsenal team-mate, Myles Lewis-Skelly, has been rewarded with a senior call-up after his impressive breakthrough into Mikel Arteta's squad.
Tuchel said of the teenager: “I am always impressed with Myles. He plays for the second best team in the country at the moment. Mikel Arteta picks him regularly so this was very impressive from the very start.
“I can understand if it looks like we fast-forward a career already on fast-forward. I can assure you that the talks we have had had a parental vibe, a protective vibe. We thought about, is it our responsibility to not take him? But in the end with injuries [at left-back], and with the maturity, we decided to take him.
“He can handle the pressure. He makes himself available. He proves the point on a weekly basis. He is available three times a week in one of the best teams in Europe. He can handle the heat.”
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