Ben White's England return stance revealed after Thomas Tuchel talks

England manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Arsenal defender Ben White "wants to be back" in contention for international selection after spending the past two-and-a-half years in a self-imposed exile.

On the same day that England's Euro 2024 squad was named, White earned himself a new long-term Arsenal contract. Yet, despite establishing himself as a key figure in the second-best team in the country, White was not part of the party which reached the continental final in Germany.

Rather than a snub from Gareth Southgate, White's absence was his own decision. After returning early from the 2022 World Cup for "personal reasons" the enterprising full-back removed himself from consideration for his national team. Even Southgate admitted that didn't know White's reasoning - which has never been made public - but it appears that his stance has changed following Tuchel's arrival.

White was not included in the German's first squad this month and Tuchel was asked if the Arsenal defender had once again rebuffed a call-up. "Absolutely not," Tuchel shot back.

Arsenal's Champions League dead-rubber against PSV Eindhoven in midweek was White's first start for the club since November. The 27-year-old had been sidelined for three months with a knee injury which required surgery and is being gently eased back into first-team action.

"I just think it's a bit too early given the seriousness of the injury he had," Tuchel outlined by way of explanation for White's omission. "I'm delighted he's back, he's back now in training. We were monitoring the process and huge compliments to the medical and performance department of the FA.

"And thanks to everyone at Arsenal to let us monitor closely so we are on it, speaking to Ben that we are delighted that he is back on the bench. He had a Champions League match now in the second leg and I think now it's just the question about getting more minutes, more rhythm and then he has every chance to be back. He wants to be back, he's glad to be back."

White has only amassed four England caps – the last of which was a friendly against the Ivory Coast in March 2022 – but was competing against an unprecedented glut of talented English right-backs. Following the steady decline of Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier in recent years, arguably Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only player above White in England's pecking order going forward.

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