England boss Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that he will hold talks with Arsenal defender Ben White over a potential return to the Three Lions squad.
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White self-exiled from England dutyHad issues with Southgate's staffTuchel will hold talks over a returnFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?
White hasn't played for England since departing the team for personal reasons during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Following a reported falling out between the Arsenal right-back and former England assistant coach Steve Holland, former Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate announced that White had requested not to be considered for England's international squad.
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Southgate and Holland are no longer a part of the Three Lions' backroom following England's Euro 2024 final loss against Spain in the summer, and Tuchel is set to take over the national team on January 1. The German has now revealed that he will hold talks with White over a potential return to national team. Tuchel also announced that all English players will get a fresh start to impress him ahead of England's World Cup qualifiers in 2025.
AFPWHAT TUCHEL SAID
Speaking at the World Cup qualifiers draw held in Zurich, Tuchel said: “It should be a clean start and a clear narrative. It starts from January. I will be in the stadiums from January. The players should just know: 'Okay, the boss is there from January'.
“Then I will of course try to speak to them, but also be respectful to the schedule that they have, because the schedule is busy in January, especially in the Premier League."
When asked about White's potential return, Tuchel added: “Yes. I will reach out to him."
WHAT NEXT FOR TUCHEL?
The former Chelsea boss will begin his reign as England boss at the start of the new year but will not see his first game in charge until March when the Three Lions are scheduled to take on the World Cup qualifiers.
