‘A great shame’ as Ben White snubs latest England call-up from Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate has revealed in-form Arsenal defender Ben White does not want to be selected by England at the moment.
The 26-year-old has starred for the Premier League leaders this season but has not featured for the national team since the 2022 World Cup.
White returned early from Qatar for what the Football Association called “personal reasons” and reports later emerged of an alleged bust-up with England assistant Steve Holland.
Southgate denied any such bust-up on Thursday, when he had hoped to include the defender in his squad for March’s Euro 2024 warm-up friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
The manager revealed White would otherwise have been in his 25-man squad, explaining: “Clearly on form I can’t sit here and say he doesn’t deserve to be in.
“We, John McDermott and I, had a call from Edu (Arsenal sporing director) last week (and he) said Ben didn’t want to be considered for England squads at this time.
“For me that is a great shame. He is a player we took to the Euros, a player we took to the World Cup and I spoke to him post-Qatar because I wanted to pick him.
“He is not available to us and there is no issue between us at all and I also should say there is never any issue with (coach) Steve Holland because that has been mentioned in articles and I don’t like that.
“I want that door wide open. He would be in this squad but he’s not available to us and I have to focus on who can help us.”
White has earned four senior England caps since his move to Arsenal, but has not been part of Southgate’s plans since an early departure from the last World Cup in Qatar.
Earlier on Thursday, White signed a new contract with the Gunners, admitting it is “unbelievable” to have found his home at the Emirates Stadium.
The 26-year-old agreed a new four-year deal, with the option for a further 12 months in north London, the PA news agency understands.
White has been a vital part of Mikel Arteta’s side as they sit top of the Premier League and prepare for a first Champions League quarter-final appearance in 14 years.
He featured in every Premier League game last season as Arsenal were pipped at the post by treble-winners Manchester City but has further impressed in his role at right-back this campaign.
Having come through the ranks at Brighton, White spent three seasons out on loan – with Newport, Peterborough and Leeds, respectively, as he gradually made his way up the leagues.
He then spent a solitary season in the Brighton first-team before impressing Arsenal enough that the Gunners forked out £50million to sign him in the summer of 2021.
Asked if Arsenal now feels like home, White replied: “I have been on loan three times, I have been places for a year.
“I think this is the first time I’ve actually settled and known I am not going anywhere in the summer. Being here is unbelievable and I’d love to stay (for more years).”
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Jordan Henderson: 'Moving to Saudi Arabia was a mistake'
Henderson left Liverpool last summer to join Al Ettifaq in a hugely controversial move
Midfielder terminated his contract in Saudi Arabia in January & joined Ajax
33-year-old returns to England on Thursday to face Aston Villa
By Tom Gott
12:15 PM GMT
Henderson joined Ajax in January
Henderson joined Ajax in January / ANP/GettyImages
Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson has confessed that moving to Saudi Arabia last summer was "a mistake".
After falling down the pecking order at Liverpool, Henderson opted to take his talents to Saudi Arabia to link up with Reds legend Steven Gerrard, attracting immense criticism for a decision to move to a country which outlaws homosexuality.
Henderson publicly defended his move and voiced his commitment to helping Saudi Arabia grow both on the pitch and in day-to-day life, only to terminate his contract in January and return to Europe with Ajax.
In an interview with Het Parool, Henderson confessed the move to Saudi Arabia was not right for him.
"I made a mistake, but I am happy with the Ajax project," he stressed.
"Everyone has an opinion, some more intense than others. That's fine and part of it. I'm used to something. But people don't know the whole story. Only I know that.
Jordan Henderson
Henderson failed to settle in Saudi Arabia / Yasser Bakhsh/GettyImages
"During those five months in Saudi Arabia I learned a lot about myself. What are my motivations? Why do I actually play football? Football is something that is in my blood, I now know. And the competition in Saudi Arabia is developing and will become bigger, but it does not suit me at the moment.
"I live for European nights like against Aston Villa. I want to create a big surprise with my teammates."
Henderson returns to England on Thursday to face Villa in the second leg of the Europa Conference League last 16, and having been booed by fans when he turned out for the England national team earlier this season, he is expecting a hostile reception.
"When people whistle at me, it gives me extra motivation," he stressed. "Proving critics wrong is a common thread in my career that has not worn out over the years. It's my way of expressing emotions. A passion that belongs to me."
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Barcelona 'set price tag' for Ronald Araujo amid Bayern Munich interest
Barcelona will consider letting Araujo leave if they receive a significant offer, reports suggest
German champions Bayern Munich have expressed interest in the centre-back
The 25-year-old last renewed his contract with Barcelona in 2022
By Katie Catherall
1:35 PM GMT
€100m price set for Araujo
€100m price set for Araujo / Alex Caparros/GettyImages
Barcelona will consider letting Ronald Araujo leave if they receive an offer close to €100m (£85m) for the Uruguayan centre-back, a report has claimed.
Araujo renewed his contract with the Spanish giants in 2022, penning a deal which would see him remain at the club until 2026 and includes a €1bn release clause.
He remains a key member of the squad but reports have suggested Barca could cash in on Araujo, who is one of the most valuable players in the squad and is attracting significant interest.
According to ESPN, Bayern Munich and at least one big Premier League club are monitoring the situation. Bayern first expressed interest in January and are expected to return with an offer in the summer.
90min revealed in January that Manchester United are admirers of Araujo, while several top teams could express interest if the 25-year-old actually becomes available.
Ronald Araujo
Araujo has plenty of interest / Eric Alonso/GettyImages
Araujo played 90 minutes in the squad's recent victory over Napoli in the Champions League, despite being one of many options in the centre-back position. Barca are fruitful in the middle of defence, with Pau Cubarsi, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen and Inigo Martinez all competing for minutes.
Barca would be reluctant to lose Araujo but, with so many options available in one position, there is said to be an awareness that cashing in on the Uruguay international could be a smart way to fund signings in other positions.
The club are committed to first seeking a less drastic solution, but may be forced to explore his sale to cover financial solutions.
Barca are currently almost €200m over their La Liga annual spending cap, which sits at €204m, so they will be forced to make a sharp decision to avoid breaching their limit.
Araujo has affirmed his happiness at Barcelona, while president Joan Laporta recently admitted he would offer the defender a "lifetime contract" at Camp Nou if possible.
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