Ben White made himself unavailable for national team selection (Picture: Getty)
Harry Redknapp has labelled Ben White’s decision to make himself unavailable for national team selection as ‘disgusting’ and said the Arsenal right-back shouldn’t be considered for a call-up ever again.
The 26-year-old was a surprise omission from England’s latest squad for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, with Southgate revealing the decision was taken out of his hands after he was informed that White did not want to be considered for selection.
The defender hasn’t represented his country since leaving the 2022 World Cup prematurely with, at the time, the Three Lions boss citing ‘personal reasons’ for White’s decision to return to England.
Southgate denied any suggestions of a rift between White and himself or members of his backroom staff and said the door is still open for the Arsenal player to return in the future.
Former Premier League manager Redknapp was not so diplomatic, though, suggesting that the full-back should never again be considered for a Three Lions call-up, even if he changes his mind.
‘Gareth said the door was still open, but I think it should be slammed right in his mush,’ the 77-year-old said on talkSPORT.
‘I’m sorry, you’ve had your opportunity and you don’t want to play for England? You tell the Bobby Moores of this world whose got 100-odd caps. The Shiltons, the Beckhams, the Rooneys – those people, go and tell the Billy Bonds of this world who didn’t get a cap and should have done, and all those great players that you don’t want to play for your country.
Gareth Southgate denied any reports of a rift between himself and White (Picture: Getty)
‘I think it’s disgusting, I can’t have it. If he doesn’t want to play, that’s fine, but he shouldn’t be considered anymore for England.
‘He should be proud to play for his country and if you don’t want to play there will be plenty of other people who would give their right arm to play for England.
‘If someone else comes in after Gareth [Southgate] and changes it, then fine but if I’m Gareth I’d be saying “thanks very much we won’t be bothering you again”.’
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White was part of Southgate’s last two squads for major tournaments, although he hardly featured at either Euro 2020 or the World Cup in Qatar.
In his place, Southgate has called up Jarrad Branthwaite and Ezri Konsa, while Joe Gomez also returns to the national team set-up for the first time since 2020.
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