Former Arsenal player Ray Parlour has encouraged England fans to show 'respect' Ben Whitefor Ben White’s choice not to join the national team before this summersummer's European Championships.
Gareth Southgate included three new players, Jarrad Branthwaite, Anthony Gordon, and Ezri Konsa, in his squad for England’s pre-Euro 2024 matches against Brazil and Belgium. This excluded White, and Southgate disclosed that the 26-year-old had asked not to be considered for selection through Arsenal’s sporting director Edu
Ben White has not played for the national team since leaving the Qatar World Cup early in 2022 due to 'personal reasons', following reports of a disagreement with Southgate's assistant Steve Holland.Southgate is concerned that White will face a negative reaction for declining the call to represent his country, with former Tottenham manager.
Harry Redknapp criticizing the defender’s decision as 'disgusting'.
But Ray Parlour, a former Arsenal and England midfielder, is more understanding of White’s situation and believes Southgate's decision to favor Eric Dier at the World Cup may have caused White's frustration. Parlour said, ‘What he’s done at Southgate is surprised by White's decision (Picture: Getty).
Parlour further expressed, ‘I think the
really surprised him because there was an opportunity where he could have been substituted and come on, but Gareth opted for Arsenal , who wasn’t playing regularly at talkSPORT.
‘That really impacted him because he was playing remarkably. He couldn’t have been playing better at that time. World Cup I’m sure Ben will admit himself that he’s not the biggest fan of football. Not everyone is. But what he's achieved at Arsenal is great.’ Eric DierParlour hopes England fans will 'respect' White’s decision to snub England (Picture: Getty) Spurs Parlour added, ‘I was in a lot of squads where I didn’t get a cap and was just there in case I got my chance.
‘He has three or four right-backs in front of him, right? [Kieran] Tripper, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James if he’s fit… so it’s tough. I know he can also play in a three-man defense as a center-back.
‘But that’s his decision. Not everyone likes people’s decisions and you have to respect him for that.’
‘It would be really interesting to see what happens if Gareth moves on and a new manager takes over,’ he continued.
‘Would he [White] say, “Look, I’m available now and I want to be in that squad”? Because then you know there's some tension between Gareth, Steve Holland, and whoever is behind the scenes.
‘That would be the telling sign.’
Is there a way back for the Arsenal defender?
‘It will be really interesting to see what happens if Gareth did move on and the new manager comes in,’ he went on.
‘Would he [White] say, “Look, I’m available now and I want to be in that squad”?, because then you know there’s a bit of friction between Gareth, Steve Holland, whoever is behind the scenes.
‘That would be the telltale sign.’
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