Ben White given shock England recall as Thomas Tuchel replaces injured duo

Ben White has been handed a shock England recall after over three years out of the squad as Thomas Tuchel was called into making two changes due to his March internationals roster.

The Arsenal defender has not featured in a Three Lions camp since leaving the squad under dramatic circumstances during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with White subsequently asking not to be considered for selection by then-manager Gareth Southgate.

The rift stemmed from a reported falling out with former England assistant Steve Holland, who allegedly claimed that White was not sufficiently interested in football.

White has since been on a self-imposed England exile, one that was not resolved during the interim reign of Lee Carsley following Southgate’s departure in the summer of 2024, but has now been lured back into the fold by Tuchel.

He replaces Jarell Quansah in the squad for March’s internationals against Uruguay on 27 March and Japan on 31 March, with the Bayer Leverkusen defender dealing with a thigh injury, while Gunners teammate Eberechi Eze has also been ruled out due to a calf problem.

Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes has been chosen to fill the void left by Eze, whose only appearance for the senior team came in October 2020.

Tuchel had spoken positively about a return for White, saying in August of last year that he was “delighted” to see him back in training after recurring knee problems.

“We were monitoring the process and huge compliments to the medical and performance department of the FA. And thanks to everyone at Arsenal to let us monitor closely so we are on it, speaking to Ben that we are delighted that he is back on the bench,” Tuchel said. “He wants to be back, he’s glad to be back.”

White only has four England caps to his name and has not played for the Three Lions since a 3-0 friendly win against the Ivory Coast in March 2022.

He did not feature at the Qatar World Cup that year and ruled himself out of contention for Euro 2024.

But speaking on his selection for the March internationals, Tuchel insisted a player’s absence from a previous tournament will not be a factor in deciding who goes to this summer’s World Cup.

“No, it’s not interesting to me if someone was at a tournament, or is now at their first tournament,” Tuchel said.

“It’s interesting how we’re trying to build the group, and I want to arrive with a strong group, and I want to be absolutely certain that we have a group that can enjoy weeks and weeks and weeks together. That we have the energy right, and we have the chemistry right.”

White has made just seven Premier League appearances this season for leaders Arsenal but has played in eight of their 10 Champions League games, with the club staring down the barrel of a quarter-final tie against Sporting CP.

He started Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, which saw Arsenal lose 2-0 as their hopes of an unprecedented quadruple went up in smoke.