Thomas Tuchel insists Ben White will hold clear-the-air talks with England squad to address World Cup exit

Thomas Tuchel has told eSPORTY that Ben White will hold talks with the England squad following his return to the Three Lions set-up.

The Arsenal defender was called up to the England squad for the first time since 2022 for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

White, who was not part of Tuchel initial squad for March’s fixtures, was drafted in as a replacement for Jarell Quansah who pulled out with a thigh injury.

And now the 28-year-old has the opportunity to stake a late claim ahead of this summer’s World Cup, seemingly at the expense of the out-of-favour Trent Alexander-Arnold.

But before White clocks up his fifth cap for England, he must address the elephant in the room.

White noise

White placed a self-imposed exile on himself after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He left the England squad and returned to the UK following the group stage matches with the Football Association citing ‘personal reasons’ for his exit.

In the build-up to Euro 2024, then-England boss Gareth Southgate revealed that White had asked to not be selected.

It was later reported that White had been involved in a falling out with assistant manager Steve Holland, something Southgate refuted.

But three years on, White’s international U-turn has coincided with Tuchel’s arrival as head coach.