Arsenal legend Lee Dixon has warned Ben White He may later regret his choice to turn down England, but he thinks fans should respect the player's decision.
White's exclusion from the team was the main news when Gareth Southgate announced the 25-man squad for England's warm-up matches for Euro 2024 against Brazil and Belgium. The 26-year-old has been in great form for Arsenal this season. Southgate explained that White requested not to be considered for selection through Arsenal's sporting director Edu
White has not played internationally since leaving England's training camp early during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, amidst rumors of a disagreement with Southgate's assistant manager Steve Holland., which has received significant criticism from some people.
It seems unlikely that the former Brighton and Leeds player will be part of England's squad for this summer's European Championships and Dixon believes supporters should accept his decision as the 'full details' are still unknown.
‘He might be sitting there in 15 to 20 years time and going, “Oh, I wish I would have played for England”, but that’s up to him,’ the ex-Arsenal and England full-back told
Football FanCast ‘I’ve gone on record before as saying if he doesn’t play, we don’t know the full reasons and we might never know the full reasons, that’s up to him..
‘If he doesn’t want to play. Okay, fine. Well, thanks for trying. Who’s next? That’s exactly where I sit with it.
Dixon, a former Arsenal player, thinks White may regret his decision in the future (Picture: Getty)
‘When I came back to play for England when I was in my late 30s and I got called back by Howard Wilkinson the pressure that I was under then after seven years out was huge,’ Dixon, who was capped 22 times by England, added.
‘I didn’t enjoy it. I played one game and I really didn’t enjoy it.
‘I was at a time in my career – he’s not at that – he’s a lot younger and it’s different, but I can relate to it if it is a pressure thing.
‘I felt that when I first played for England it’s a different pressure because you want to play and I would always want to play for England, but he doesn’t so fine.
‘There’s the line, thanks a lot, shake his hand and get on with it.’
Is there any way back for the Arsenal defender?
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