Is Ben White England’s best right-back? How the Arsenal man compares

According to reports, Ben White is set to make himself available for England selection under Thomas Tuchel.

The Arsenal right-back was last in an England squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup, but pulled out after a reported clash with Steve Holland. As a result, White made himself unavailable for selection.

When Gareth Southgate — and Holland with him — left after Euro 2024, there was some discussion as to whether White would return. Lee Carsley took interim charge, but White was still not called up.

But now, according to talkSPORT, White could be available for Tuchel come March. The question is, would he start for Tuchel’s England?

Right-back is a position in which England aren’t short of talent. When everyone is fully fit, White will have Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker and Reece James to contest with. That’s even before you throw in Tino Livramento.

Against Greece, even Rico Lewis also had a stint at right-back, after starting on the left. Fitting all of England’s talent into one team is something Tuchel will have to figure out.

There is also the possibility of Tuchel playing a back three with England, needing wing-backs rather than standard full-backs. But in that situation, White might fancy his chances as the right-sided centre-back — a battle he’d have with Walker.

Of the four main England right-backs, White has the second-most minutes in the Premier League this season. Only Alexander-Arnold has been used more, a must-start for Liverpool in their early title charge.

White has started seven of Arsenal’s 11 league games so far this season, missing two through injury. He also came off the bench against Manchester City and Newcastle United, with Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey starting at right-back respectively in those matches.

The Arsenal man has recorded one assist in the Premier League this season, the same as Alexander-Arnold. But it has come at a slightly better rate per 90, given the fewer minutes. That is the only attacking metric that White does come out on top for though, with Alexander-Arnold understandably on top there.

Alexander-Arnold has had more shots than White, James and Walker, while also creating the most big chances (0.62) and chances (2.06) per 90 minutes in the Premier League. White sits third in both of those metrics, creating 0.13 big chances and 0.39 chances per 90.

But White isn’t an overly attacking full-back. He thrives more in the defensive side of things.

White has made 1.43 interceptions per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, more than James (1.12), Alexander-Arnold (0.83) and Walker (0.58). The Arsenal man also leads for clearances completed (2.72) and possessions won in the attacking third (0.39). White has blocked more shots (0.26) per 90 than both Alexander-Arnold (0.21) and Walker (0.19), with James higher on 0.37 per 90 but he has only played 241 minutes for Chelsea due to injury.

But it’s worth noting that Alexander-Arnold and Walker both trump White for tackles. Alexander-Arnold’s average is an impressive 3.2 per 90 minutes, with Walker at 1.73 and White 1.3. White also ranks lowest for possessions won in the defensive third and middle third.

The inclusion of White, if he does make himself available, is worth considering for Tuchel. He may fit the German’s system in one way or another. And former England striker Alan Shearer believes Tuchel will look to get a decision from White early in his reign.

“White’s situation is a strange one, and I for one don’t know the background; we all hear different rumours as to why he left the England camp or why he doesn’t want to be selected, but I don’t know whether they’re true,” Shearer told Betfair recently.

“I suspect that Thomas Tuchel will want to have a conversation with Ben or Arsenal and try to find out why he doesn’t want to be selected if that is the case. If Ben doesn’t, then you must respect that, and that doesn’t mean I agree with it, but you have to respect it.

“Thomas Tuchel will likely have a conversation with him and see whether he’s open to coming back into the squad.”

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