Ben White England admission as Thomas Tuchel clarifies position

Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as England manager has ushered in a new era of optimism and a potential lifeline for players previously excluded from the national team setup, including Arsenal defender Ben White.

White, who last featured for England at the 2022 World Cup before leaving the squad under circumstances that have still never been fully clarified, appears poised to make himself available for selection once Tuchel takes charge in January.

Tuchel has already signalled his intent to reset relationships and give every player a “clean slate,” explicitly mentioning his plans to reach out to White. “Yes, I will reach out to him,” Tuchel said. “It should be a clean start and a clear narrative. It starts from January.”

This approach contrasts with Gareth Southgate’s tenure, during which White’s international future seemed uncertain following reports of a strained relationship with the England camp.

White’s return to contention for the national team comes as he recovers from a knee procedure that has sidelined him since November.

Initial timelines suggested a six-week absence, with his return expected by the end of 2024, but it seems likely he will be out for quite a bit longer than that. If he regains fitness on schedule, White will have a narrow window to demonstrate his readiness for the March international break, when Tuchel will name his first England squad.