Southgate's comments on Ben White is going to open a can of worms.

Wouldn't be surprised if he gets a few boos at away grounds.

Yep.

comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 23 minutes ago
Southgate's comments on Ben White is going to open a can of worms.
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It's not a good look to refuse your country.

Fell out with one of the England coaches, no?

So you bite your lip and turn up.

Just listening now...

Apparently no issue between White and Southgate.

Southgate says he doesn't want Steve Holland being said to be the issue, but I guess he is?

Tbh if a player doesn't want to play for England (or any country), I've no problem with it.

How many times have we all been chewed out by senior management in your careers? And that's not even representing your country.

Yeah, but it's not as though we're talking about White having fallen out with Albert Stuivenberg, is it?

This seems more akin to someone falling out with... I dunno, someone that helps run a community charity that they volunteer for.

Playing for your country isn't compulsory.

No, it isn't compulsory. But it's considered an honour. I doubt any fan will understand turning it down. Honestly, if your ego is that fragile, what are you going to do in a game when a winger beats you 4 times in a row? Give up on the 5th?

Good on White for turning down his country for club. All Arsenal players should follow his lead.

Benny White White White

comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 22 minutes ago
No, it isn't compulsory. But it's considered an honour. I doubt any fan will understand turning it down. Honestly, if your ego is that fragile, what are you going to do in a game when a winger beats you 4 times in a row? Give up on the 5th?
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Benjamin White isn't a person who strikes me as lacking confidence...

comment by Lexington 125.2 (U8879)
posted 17 seconds ago
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 22 minutes ago
No, it isn't compulsory. But it's considered an honour. I doubt any fan will understand turning it down. Honestly, if your ego is that fragile, what are you going to do in a game when a winger beats you 4 times in a row? Give up on the 5th?
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Benjamin White isn't a person who strikes me as lacking confidence...
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I don't think he is, either. I just wish he didn't need to do this because it brings unwarranted attention. I would have turned up and done whatever. He was never going to get selected ahead of Walker.

White and Foden don't get on, do they?

Think there's possibly more to it than just a fall out with Holland.


But if not, it would be more understandable if White is just biding his time.

And, as you say, once Walker retires, there's more chance of him playing. The whole 'I don't watch football' thing - even if not completely true - is probably an indication as to why White might not be bothered to train, fly off somewhere or other, train, spend time with people he might not get along with, train some more, only to sit on the bench... having to watch football.

But it's considered an honour.
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Maybe for some, maybe for many, but for a lot it is just the hope of playing in major tournaments. That is why someone born in Africa to African parents will jump at the chance of playing for France. Clinton Morrison didn't play for Ireland because of his love for his grandmothers birthplace but because he knew he wouldn't get a chance for England and fancied his chances with Ireland.

Ben White doesn't strike me as a particularly patriotic man, his attitude towards watching football is well known so it is unlikely he was caught up in the 3 Lions hype. I don't think playing for England is something that drives him.

Why did he turn up in the first place?

Probably thought he would give it a go. He wasn't married then. Priorities change.

Then retire. Don't leave it open. It makes him sound petulant. I am not sure if he will be selected again anyway. Why would a new manager want a headache of a player whose ego needs massaging? Its not like Ben is Mbappe or Saka or Kane or Foden.

Isn't saying you don't want to play for England the same thing?

I don't think so. He could have given his reasons and said he doesn't want to play for the sake of his body or whatever. But to get your director of football to call England's technical director that he is unavailable for England selection is weak sauce imo. Frankly, Ben White is a better CB than Maguire so he would have got his chances.

With southgate it wouldn't have happened, he will always pick Maguire

Surely there is a bigger chance of him sounding petulant, or anti-England, if he gave reasons. Don't really see the need for the show of retirement - he isn't Mbappe, Saka or Kane. He is just a full back, most aren't bothered by in all honesty, just going about his business.