Does Welbeck deserve to be in Tuchel’s England squad?
Video credit: TNT Sports
Thomas Tuchel says Ben White has to “clear the air” with his England team-mates after returning to the squad for the first time since 2022.White was called up for the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022 but left the camp for “personal reasons” after reportedly falling out with then-assistant manager Steve Holland.
The Arsenal defender then made himself “unavailable for selection” while Gareth Southgate was England boss, a tenure that ended after their defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.
Now White is back in the fold as Tuchel and his players prepare for the 2026 World Cup in North America, with friendly matches in the coming days against Uruguay and Japan.
“I think everyone deserves a second chance,” said Tuchel.
“I don’t know exactly what happened. I was not 100% interested in that as I wanted to open a new page.
“Once I asked Ben if he would be ready to play for me and for England, straight away and without hesitation he said he would love that and he was desperate to come back.
“I think it’s necessary he clears the air with team-mates and I think he will when players come back who were in the World Cup with him.”
Tuchel added that the defender did not hesitate when offered a recall to the England set-up.
“When the chance opened up for him with the injury to Jarrell Quansah very late, the reaction came within seconds and was very euphoric and very positive and he was emotional about it, which shows me that he really means it,” Tuchel said.
“The way he behaves and has trained in camp has been very good and shows his quality.”
White has won four England caps and will now hope to add to that tally as the sport’s greatest show approaches.
England’s World Cup opener against Croatia in the United States is now less than three months away.
Tuchel, who recently signed a new contract to extend his role to include Euro 2028, will aim to lead England to their first major success in 60 years.
After their meeting with Croatia at the expanded 48-team World Cup, England face Ghana and Panama.
Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup and more on TNT Sports and HBO Max
