LAY OFF BEN
Southgate urges fans to go easy on White after his call-up snub
GARETH SOUTHGATE hopes there will be no public backlash against Ben White despite going public over the Arsenal defender’s England snub.
Southgate admitted he would have lost “credibility” had he not explained White’s absence from yet another England squad considering his outstanding form for Arsenal this season.
Gunners technical director Edu rang his FA counterpart John Mcdermott last week to tell him that White did not want to be picked in the last squad ahead of the Euros.
Arsenal then rushed out a positive club video about White signing a new contract on the morning of the England squad announcement to try to take the sting out of the story and win the PR war.
White, who has won four caps, has not featured for England since flying home early from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but has been one of the stand-out defenders in the Premier League this season.
England boss Southgate said: “In these situations I’ve tried to protect players. Clearly that is impossible at this point. I want to keep the door open and I don’t want there to be a backlash.
“I don’t think it would be right not to state the situation we’re in. We’ve explained to Arsenal we were going to do that. And if you make a decision like that, you do have to stand by it.
“Because the timing of asking to come off the long-list - and the fact that I don’t have huge credibility (if I don’t pick him) - but there would be none if I didn’t pick him on form. But I believe he’s announced he’s signing a new contract today, so there’s no question he’s got the love of the Arsenal fans.”
Southgate insisted there was no issue between White and his No.2 Steve Holland after his early exit from the World Cup.
But the Arsenal player - who openly admits he is not a big football fan – went to Qatar and did not get a look-in before going home early. It is impossible to see any way back for White while Southgate remains as manager.
Southgate says he feels it is a “shame” for White not to be involved - especially with England facing an injury crisis for the friendlies with Belgium and Brazil - but still hopes he changes his mind.
Southgate added: “The shame is that he’s a player I like. I would have liked to have picked him. But it’s not an option that’s open to me. I completely respect it.
“The door for me is open. We have to say that’s unlikely now
for the Euros. But moving forward, I would hope that he feels differently about it.”
Southgate says Luke Shaw is “touch and go” as to whether he will be fit for the Euros because of a hamstring injury. He was also brutally honest in why he left out Kalvin Phillips.
Southgate, who gave new callups for Anthony Gordon and Jarrad Branthwaite, added: “I couldn’t be confident on the performances Kalvin’s had in the last few weeks that he could go on to the field and do the job we know he’s capable of.
“There’s no reason why he can’t find that form. Nothing would give us more pleasure.”