England Manager Gareth Southgate revealed that Arsenal defender Ben White has asked not to be selected by the national team at present, leaving the Three Lions with a dilemma over which right backs to pick. Daniel Wales reports.
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00:00 Southgate was asked about Ben White's lack of involvement with England and confirmed
00:07 that Arsenal had let the Three Lions know that Ben White would not be available for
00:13 selection. Southgate went on to express his disappointment at White's decision.
00:18 Look, it's absolutely a question you should ask because clearly on form I can't sit here
00:25 and say he doesn't deserve to be in. We, John and I had a call from Ed in the last week
00:33 to say that Ben didn't want to be considered for England's squad at this time. For me that's
00:40 a great shame. He's a player I really like. He's a player that we took to the Euros when
00:46 he was at Brighton. A player that we took to the World Cup. I spoke to him post-Cathartic
00:55 because I was keen to pick him and there was clearly reticence on his side. I don't know
01:02 fully why that is but I have to respect that. I wouldn't leave the door open for him because
01:10 he's a good player and I think he's a player that can make a difference for England. But
01:15 he's not available to us and so the only other thing I would say is there is no issue between
01:24 us at all. I also should say there's never any issue with Steve Hodden because that has
01:31 been mentioned in articles and I don't like that. People can talk about me and say I have
01:41 to accept that things get said and are false about me and for whatever reason in this role
01:49 you have to almost stutter about. But I'm not prepared for that to happen for a key
01:53 member of my coaching team because that is not the reason that Ben is unavailable for
02:01 selection.
02:04 Southgate was then questioned as to whether the door remained open for Ben White for future
02:09 involvement with England given that the European Championships are just around the corner.
02:16 White of course is involved in a title race for Arsenal in the Premier League.
02:21 If that door were wide open he would be in his squad but he's not available to us and
02:28 so I have to focus on those that can help us.
02:31 Certainly a conundrum England did not want before a tournament. For Southgate other options
02:35 at right back include Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United and Rhys James of Chelsea both of whom
02:42 are currently injured but should they be fit will likely make the squad come the summer.
02:48 Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool is preferred in midfield by Gareth Southgate with Kyle
02:53 Walker being the number one choice in the position as of now.
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