Ben White has said he holds no issue with the boos he received from England fans after ending his international exile.
The Arsenal defender, who has been restored to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad after missing last month’s camp through injury, made his first appearance for the national team in almost four years during the 1-1 draw with Uruguay this year.
White had left the 2022 World Cup in Qatar early for personal reasons and subsequently kept out of Gareth Southgate’s squads. When he came off the bench against Uruguay, the Wembley crowd gave him a frosty reception.
“Everyone can do whatever they want,” White told BBC 5 Live as England prepared for Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain this week. “It’s fine with me. I think people should think about whether they know the full story. If they did, maybe they wouldn’t.”
Tuchel has not let the reaction deter him. The England manager wants to work with White, who scored the opening goal against Uruguay before giving away a late penalty for the equaliser.
“Before the game I was thinking: ‘Just stay composed and take it easy,’” White said. “Then I came on and obviously got booed. Then I scored, then I gave away a penalty. It was obviously a night of full emotions, and it was a good night.”
White, who has been in fine form for Arsenal this season, continues to avoid discussing the circumstances of his World Cup exit. “A lot has been said,” he said. “I’ve seen it all, and I think people don’t know the full story because I’ve never said anything and I won’t put anyone under pressure or share any of it. I think that’s probably the best way. Obviously it’s a bit tricky and not straightforward, but it’s great to be here now.”
The 29-year-old does not think he would have acted differently. “I wouldn’t have,” White said. “I was a bit younger then. I’m a bit older now. As a person, I’m quite grounded, and I made the decision I probably would have made again. It wasn’t one I was happy about, but it happened. It’s time to move on.”
Tuchel’s hopes of taking White to the World Cup last summer were dashed by a knee injury at the end of the previous season. White, who can play at right-back or in central defence, would probably have been part of the squad, and he told TalkSport that he cried when he realised he was not in contention. Injuries have disrupted his progress in recent years, but he has made 12 appearances for Arsenal this season and hopes to earn a place in the Euro 2028 squad.
“I’ve been around it and just haven’t quite got into the big games,” White said. “It’s definitely something I want to do and be involved in.”
White said Tuchel did not have to do much to persuade him to return to the England fold. “The boss didn’t need to say too much,” White said. “The effort he made to speak to me and reach out was so nice, and I really appreciated it. I think when you see a manager like that, you want to learn from him. It was a huge thing to play for Thomas.”
Dan Burn has been called into the squad after Marc Guéhi withdrew with an injury.
