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The Arsenal defender has been unavailable for national team selection since departing the 2022 World Cup camp in Qatar and requesting not to be considered.
New England head coach Thomas Tuchel has had talks with Arsenal defender Ben White in a big step before he makes his first squad announcement. This comes as Tuchel prepares to name his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Latvia and Albania.
Ben White, who has not featured for England since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, had previously made himself unavailable for selection following a fallout with former assistant head coach Steve Holland. The defender’s decision to step away from international duty had left a gap in the England squad, particularly given his versatility in defense and midfield.
Tuchel, who officially took over as England head coach on January 1, has spent the past seven weeks watching numerous games across Europe and holding direct conversations with several players. His aim has been to assess the current talent pool and finalize his squad for the crucial qualifiers.
The talks between Tuchel and White are seen as a positive step towards potentially reintegrating the Arsenal star into the national team. White, who recently returned to action following knee surgery, would provide valuable options for Tuchel, especially at right-back, where England already boasts talents like Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, and Tino Livramento.
While the outcome of the discussions remains unclear, Arsenal has expressed its support for White, allowing him the space to make his decision. The club has stated that it will back whatever choice White makes regarding his international future.
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