Gareth Southgate revealed on Thursday that Ben White ‘did not want to be considered’ for England’s upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
The Three Lions boss named his 25-man squad for the upcoming friendlies, with Jarrod Branthwaite, Anthony Gordon and Ivan Toney being selected, while out-of-form West Ham midfielder Kalvin Phillips missed out on a call-up.
White, meanwhile, who has enjoyed a fine vein of form helping Arsenal go unbeaten in their last nine Premier League matches, will not be included with Southgate revealing the club’s sporting director Edu had called him to deliver the news.
‘We had a call from Edu saying Ben didn’t want to be considered for England at this time.
The 26-year-old, who penned a contract extension with Arsenal until 2028 on Thursday, had notably left the 2022 Qatar World Cup early due to ‘personal reasons’. Southgate later dismissed claims that the defender had fallen out with his assistant manager Steve Holland.
‘It’s absolutely the question you should ask because on form, I can’t sit here and say he doesn’t deserve to be in,’ Southgate said, scratching his head as to why the defender ruled himself out
‘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 reaffirmed that there was no problem between the Arsenal star and his assistant coach Steve Holland.
‘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.’
But Gunners defender isn’t the first player to snub a call-up to his national team, with several other England players having done so in the past. But can you name them all?
Danny Drinkwater
The former Chelsea midfielder, who hung up his boots in 2023, was called upon by Southgate to help him solve an injury crisis back in 2017.
The England boss had several key stars drop of his squad ahead of friendlies against Germany and Brazil, but as reported by Mail Sport, the 34-year-old told the manager ‘he was not ready’.
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