Ben White, one of the Premier League’s top defenders, has been absent from the England national team for nearly two years. His last appearance for the Three Lions came during the 2022 World Cup, from which he withdrew midway through the tournament.
It was later revealed that White had asked not to be considered for future England call-ups, allegedly due to a falling-out with assistant coach Steve Holland.
This decision has significantly limited White’s international career, with the Arsenal defender earning only four caps since his debut in 2021.
Despite his undeniable talent and strong performances at the club level, White was not selected by interim England manager Lee Carsley for the national team’s September fixtures.
Carsley, who temporarily succeeded Gareth Southgate, did not include White in the squad for matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in the UEFA Nations League.
Speaking after England’s 2-0 win over Finland at Wembley, Carsley addressed questions regarding White’s potential return to the national setup for the October internationals.
When asked if he had any plans to reach out to White before October’s games, Carsley responded, “I’ve not planned to, no.
We spoke about this during the squad selection process. Every player eligible to play for England is in with a chance.
As far as I’m aware, he asked not to be contacted. If that changes, then it will change.” Carsley emphasized the importance of competition within the squad, adding that having more players available for selection benefits the team.
In White’s absence, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has stepped into the right-back role, starting both of England’s matches in September.
Under previous manager Gareth Southgate, Alexander-Arnold was often deployed as a midfielder, particularly during Euro 2024, but Carsley has chosen to use him in his more traditional defensive position.
This tactical shift has seemingly paid off, as Alexander-Arnold helped England secure back-to-back wins in the Nations League.
Carsley’s focus has been on keeping the squad competitive and ensuring players have the chance to prove themselves.
He acknowledged that the team needs depth and flexibility across all positions to maintain success at the international level.
“I think it is important that we have real competition all over the pitch,” he said, stressing that the more players they have to select from, the better the team will perform.
While the future of Ben White in the England setup remains uncertain, Carsley made it clear that the door remains open for the defender’s return should he reconsider his stance.
For now, the focus is on keeping the current squad motivated and ready for the upcoming fixtures.
In other news surrounding the England squad, Harry Kane, who recently earned his 100th cap, continued his impressive form by scoring both goals in the 2-0 win over Finland.
The Tottenham striker remains a key figure for the national team and has hinted at possibly taking on a new role within the squad in the future.
Additionally, young talent Angel Gomes could see his recent rise culminate in his first England start, reflecting the new opportunities being presented under Carsley’s leadership.
