Ben White’s absence from the latest England squad has ignited a flurry of discussions within the footballing realm this week. Despite the Arsenal defender’s impressive performances, Gareth Southgate once again opted not to include him.
However, this time, Southgate disclosed that White himself expressed a desire not to be selected, sparking varied reactions across punditry circles and among football enthusiasts.
Chris Sutton hinted that White may come to regret his decision, while Southgate sought to downplay speculations of any rift with assistant coach, Steve Holland. Yet, offering a more scathing assessment of White, former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore didn’t mince his words in criticizing the Arsenal player.
In his latest column for CaughtOffside, Collymore delivered a blunt assessment, asserting that White falls short of the standard required for international football.
“Even though I am incredibly disappointed a player has made this decision, I don’t think it’s a great loss to England. White is having a decent season for Arsenal, but I don’t think he’s good enough anyway,” Collymore remarked.
“Credit where it’s due — he is certainly versatile — he can play at right back, centre-back and even drift into midfield, but there is no way he’s going to get in ahead of Kyle Walker or John Stones, both of whom can also play those roles. So for me, thanks but no thanks, Mr White. We know you want to be a nailed-on starter, but you can’t always get exactly what you want, especially at international level and especially in tournament football. It’s a squad game, and if you’re lucky enough to get a chance, it’s on you to take it, but he’s refused the opportunity, so in my opinion, he should never be called up again — regardless of who is in charge.”
Acknowledging White’s versatility across various defensive positions, Collymore maintained that he faces stiff competition from established players like Kyle Walker and John Stones, who also possess the ability to fulfill those roles. Consequently, Collymore emphasized that White’s refusal of the opportunity should preclude any future call-ups to the national team, irrespective of the managerial regime.
The discourse surrounding White’s exclusion prompted diverse reactions, with some echoing Collymore’s sentiments, while others contested his assessment.
While it may seem harsh to deem a £50 million talent like White as inadequate, there’s a recognition of his consistent contributions within one of Europe’s top defenses at Arsenal throughout the season.
Indeed, White’s pedigree suggests that he is capable of representing England, given different circumstances. However, the surplus of options at right-back, including established figures like Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier, presents a formidable barrier to White’s inclusion in the squad.
Ultimately, while Collymore’s critique underscores the intense competition for places within the England setup, it also evokes a sense of missed opportunity and regret for all parties involved.
There remains hope that reconciliatory efforts between England and White in the future could pave the way for his return to international contention, thereby ensuring that his talents are once again harnessed in service of the Three Lions.