Richard Keys shares interesting theory on Ben White turning down England and Gareth Southgate
Richard Keys has an interesting take on Ben White refusing to play for England.
Nasir Jabbar
Richard Keys has an interesting take on Ben White rejecting a call-up to the England senior team.
White asked not to be called up for England's international friendlies against Brazil and Belgium last month.
The Arsenal defender was named in England's 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup.
However, he left the tournament due to personal reasons, with reports claiming a bust-up with assistant coach Steve Holland.
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But Southgate denied a rift between White and Holland - and said the 'door was wide open' for him to return to the international fold.
“For me that is a great shame," the Three Lions boss explained. "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."
Amid his refusal to play for England, White made the most of his time off by enjoying a break in Dubai with his partner - a decision which didn't go down well with Jeff Stelling.
Keys, however, has backed the 26-year-old's England snub, claiming it benefits the Gunners, who are fighting on two fronts this season as they mount a charge for the Premier League and Champions League.
The beIN SPORTS host believes the player's decision is justified because he wouldn't start for England.
"I think he's got every right just to say; 'I don't want to go'," he said.
"He's not going to start [for England]... it's to Arsenal's benefit."
Andy Gray, on the other hand, believes White should make himself available for England and travel to Germany for Euro 2024.
He questioned his decision for not wanting to be part of a potentially-special tournament, with England among the favourites to go all the way.