Jermaine Jenas has described Ben White’s England rejection as ‘strange’ but thinks it ‘creates an opportunity for somebody else’, with Jarrad Branthwaite in line to make his international debut this month.
On Thursday, Gareth Southgate announced his squad for England’s Euro 2024 warm-up matches against Brazil and Belgium at Wembley and the Arsenal defender was notably absent from the 25-man party.
White has been performing exceptionally at Arsenal this season, with Mikel Arteta’s high-flying Gunners sitting top of the Premier League table and through to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years.
The 26-year-old has not featured for England since departing England’s training camp early at the Qatar World Cup in 2022, when reports of a heated altercation with Steve Holland impacted the headlines.
Southgate went on to explain that White has requested not to be considered for selection through Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu, and it seems highly improbable the ex-Brighton and Leeds star will be included for this summer’s eagerly anticipated tournament in Germany.
Asked if White was available, the England head coach told reporters: ‘Look, it’s absolutely the question you should ask because clearly on form I can’t sit here and say he doesn’t deserve to be in.
‘We, [FA technical director] John McDermott, had a call from Edu last week to say that Ben did not want to be considered for the England squad at this time.
‘For me that’s a great shame. He’s a player that I really like. He’s a player that we took to a Euros when he was at Brighton, a player that we took to the World Cup.
‘I spoke to him post-Qatar because I was keen to pick him and there was clearly reticence from his side.
‘I don’t know fully why that is, but I have to respect that.
Unsurprisingly, White’s England snub has proved massively divisive, with Harry Redknapp condemning the defender’s ‘disgusting’ decision, but Jenas is more understanding and believes the Arsenal star may just want to focus on his club form.
‘It is strange. I think not everybody’s patriotic, and I think we have to accept that,’ former Tottenham and England midfielder Jenas told Mail Sport.
‘I think Ben has his own reasons why he feels it’s best for him to not be selected for England.
‘For all we know, him not being selected with England has such a positive impact on his club career, and he wants to focus on that.
‘Not everybody’s the same in football. We like to kind of pigeonhole players like, “You’ve got to fight for your country”.
‘It might be a footballing reason. It might be like, “What’s the point in me going if I’m not going to play?”’
Jenas believes that White’s decision has created an opportunity for uncapped duo Branthwaite and Ezri Konsa, who might both debut at Wembley this month.
‘It presents a chance for someone else,’ he said.
‘Braithwaite has joined the group. He’s had a successful season at Everton in a challenging situation. He's been given the chance and I think that’s the way to view it.
‘I believe Ben White is having one of his best years in football.
‘I understand why Gareth made that decision because he needed to explain why he hasn’t picked him, as it’s clear that he's been outstanding recently.
‘I hope Ben doesn’t face any negative consequences because he’s been outstanding for Arsenal and I think he needs to decide what’s best for his career, not anyone else.’
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