Why Ben White stopped playing for England as Thomas Tuchel holds talks with Arsenal star after exile

Ben White’s self-imposed England exile may finally be coming to an as Thomas Tuchel prepares to name his first Three Lions squad.

The Arsenal defender hasn’t been available for international selection since leaving the country’s 2022 World Cup camp in Qatar.

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White left the camp just two matches into the tournament after a reported falling out with former England assistant Steve Holland.

As such, the 27-year-old made himself unavailable for the remainder of Gareth Southgate’s tenure – which included sitting out Euro 2024.

He wasn’t brought back into the fold by England interim Lee Carsley, but new boss Tuchel revealed in December he would ‘reach out’.

According to widespread reports, those talks have now taken place, with ex-Chelsea gaffer Tuchel officially starting his role on January 1.

White was a near-ever-present figure for Arsenal last term, featuring in 37 out of the club’s 38 Premier League games, while also scoring four goals and registering as many assists.

The former Brighton star has been sidelined for the majority of the current campaign following knee surgery in November.

However, he made his comeback during the 1-0 defeat to West Ham on Saturday, with Tuchel set to name his first squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.

Why did White stop playing for England?

White hasn’t featured for England since leaving the Three Lions camp during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to ‘personal reasons’.

His standout form for Arsenal saw Southgate attempt to restore him to the squad for the 2023 March friendlies with Belgium and Brazil.

However, in response to his absence, Southgate revealed that ex-Gunners sporting director Edu called him to say White didn’t want to be considered for selection.

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He was a late addition to the Euro 2020 squad after Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered an injury on the eve of the tournament.

White – who revealed he cried when he got the call-up – did not make an appearance during the run to the final on home soil.

The last of his four senior caps came in a 3-0 friendly win against the Ivory Coast in 2022.

His last appearance in an England matchday squad came as an unused substitute in their 0-0 draw against the USA in the World Cup group stage.

What happened with Steve Holland?

White’s England exit from camp midway through the 2022 World Cup was explained due to ‘personal reasons’.

However, reports later emerged that he had a bust-up with Southgate’s assistant Holland.

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Southgate downplayed these rumours in March 2024 when it was confirmed that White had asked not to be selected for duty.

He said: “Also, I should say there’s never any issue with Steve Holland [and White], because that has sort of been mentioned in articles and I don’t like that.”

According to The Telegraph, it was Holland who had caused White to leave the England squad in Qatar.

Southgate’s No.2 reportedly asked Kyle Walker a question related to Manchester City’s performances in the previous season.

Holland then posed the same question to White in regards to Arsenal only for the latter to reply that he did know the answer.

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Former Chelsea assistant Holland was said to have taken umbrage with that and allegedly jibed that White was not sufficiently interested in football.

The barb, which is said to have come in front of White’s England teammates, led to the player asking to return home.

It is widely acknowledged that White does not like watching football, with the player himself admitting that on several occasions.

It was suggested White took particular issue with the comment being made in public and made him question the levels of respect there.

But Southgate insisted ahead of England’s run to the Euro 2024 final in Germany that it was not the case.

White has never commented publicly on any of the reports.

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What has been said?

Ally McCoist has made his thoughts clear on White’s potential return to the England fold.

The hotly-contested decision has previously sparked widespread criticism, with many arguing this should spell the end of his international career.

This included former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who last year insisted: “The door should be slammed right in his mush!”

And following the latest development in White’s England saga, talkSPORT’s McCoist has now weighed in on the debate.

After being reminded of Redknapp’s comments on the Breakfast show, the Scot said: “I don’t know why Ben White made that decision, right? 

“If he made the decision because he didn’t fancy it then Harry Redknapp’s right, I think it should be slammed right in his mush, as Harry put it.”

He continued: “The one thing a lot of people, I would suggest the vast majority of people, can’t accept is anybody, in any walk of life turning your back on your country.

“That’s where I am on it. In any way, shape or form.”

McCoist gave his ultimate assessment on White’s situation, as he revealed he was reluctant to see him return to the England fold.

The former Rangers striker said frankly: “We’re talking about the issue as football fans and as people.

“Should he be given the opportunity to come back into a place where if and when it suits him, for example? That’s effectively what we’re talking about here.

“My answer is no, he shouldn’t, but I don’t know the full ins and outs of why he did it in the first place.”