TalkSport HIGHLIGHTS: OF COURSE I AM GOING TO DEFEND BEN WHITE!

Thomas, to recall, open the door, I think it's fair to say, for Ben White, almost, I'm the new manager, so therefore it's going to be a clean slate. Ben White, in the last, what, year, shall we say, has made himself unavailable. Allegedly. Allegedly. We don't know everything about the story, we don't know, we don't know why. Has he been available for selection, yes or no? I don't know, I'm just getting ready for that one. Selective amnesia is amazing. I love that. The Gareth Southgate said that Ben didn't want to be selected for England, so therefore that means he was unavailable for selection. Oh yeah, Gareth had to, he got to a point where he was in such good form with England. There always was a bit of a grey cloud, wasn't there, over the World Cup that he left early, and Gareth did say, I think it was before the Euros, he said he's not in the squad, not because I don't fancy Ben White, but because he doesn't want to be picked. So therefore, with that information, do you think it's right that a new manager just brings him back in, or do you almost sort of think, it's your country, you know, should any player really sort of go, you know what, I don't fancy playing for England there. Oh, but now, yeah, I love playing for England. It's very difficult for me to comment without knowing everything that goes on behind the scenes. What I will say is, like you said there, there's no higher, you know, honour than representing your country. It's lovely to see him back in contention, where you look at potentially tactically how Thomas Tuchel wants to play, whether it's with wing backs or a back three. Ben White deserves to be back in the fold, so bring him back in. Based on ability, sure, but do you think, because I've brought it out to you then, who's not an Arsenal fan, are you fine with players almost deciding and picking and choosing when they want to play for their country? Forgiveness in life is key, man. Forgiveness? Have you ever made a mistake? As a Christian, I definitely agree with that, but I think, but what you've said there, though, when you said, was it all right for players to just do this? The players aren't doing that. We're talking about just one with Ben White, and I think if suddenly there was this, yeah, I'll do that and not that. Let's be honest, that behind closed doors, that already, there is a little bit of that already with He was intimidated by Southgate and coach and stuff, and he didn't feel comfortable in the environment. We can't comment on everything. Yeah, I mean, and the rumours were suggesting that he fell out with Steve Holland. Yeah, I don't think that's news to anybody. So being intimidated by Gareth Southgate. He's got the highest position. Well, he had the highest position in the land. He's not the king. He could be intimidated. Well, from a footballing perspective, he could be intimidated. How do you know Ben White wasn't scared to go on a training ground? How do you know? I think also with Ben White. Do you want to go to work scared of your employers or the people that make decisions? We don't know. I'd be petrified of people, by the way. Yeah, Jamie just makes me quake. That mullet is scary. Yeah, he's so tall and, you know, scary. Did anyone have a problem then? No, I think CJ, I think that I think there's there's that and also the fact he knew he was never going to play. But when all is said and done, when all is said and done, if you think that there is a right back position up for grabs for England, which there is, because Kyle Walker, he's not getting any younger. His powers are waning. Okay. Trent Alexander-Arnold is a phenomenal player. Lots of people would want him at right back. Some say defensively a little bit suspect and in knockout football, one little error and then you're gone. Ben White is a very talented right back. And I think right now with what England have, you know, Trippie has obviously retired from international football as well. Not that he was much of a starter. Rhys James regrettably can't get fit because I think he's a wonderful player and would start for me if fully fit. There is a chance. If Thomas Tuchel looks around and thinks the best right back for what I want to do with my team available is Ben White. And we know he links with Saka as well. And I agree with you. Yeah, indeed, he covered that position. Him and Saka. Saka is a starter for England, despite what Foden and Palmer are doing. I try and accommodate there, but that's a different. Right hand side, he's locked in, isn't it? I truly believe that. So if he thinks he is the best player to be able to play in my team and all the rest of it, I have zero problem with Ben White coming back to England. Thank you. Well, I don't like the way it was. It was handled in terms of I think if you go home a major tournament, I think that can be perceived as a little bit disrespectful to your teammates as well and the country. I'm not just really saying it because it's an Arsenal fan. I would say if it was a Spurs fan as well. I don't think it was handled. Obviously, we don't know what went on inside. But I think when you decide to take yourself out of it has to be something, I guess, that is quite serious. It shouldn't be over something that's petty. So I respect his feelings in that. But would I just welcome him with open arms back into the fold after not bothering Shaq for his country when asked to? He was told to leave. It's not that he didn't turn up. He was told to leave. Were you there? Sky Sports literally said you and the publication said he was told to leave. But what went on to get to that point? I don't know. But why would you want to leave a World Cup? As you said, as Marcus said, you know, he's been playing in great form. He's been amazing. There's no higher honour than representing your country, especially, you know, a World Cup. Why would you want to leave? Why put yourself in a position where you're getting asked to leave? You're right. There's no rights and wrongs. Would I necessarily welcome back with open arms? Potentially not. But I see I see the predicament that England will have. And, you know, the option, I think with him and Saka combining, I think that's a real that can be a real amazing thing for England. I think something that also, by the way, that Ben, I think Ben should have spoken about this before. I think I don't really know why it's so top secret about what happened. His agent came off and came out and was a bit elusive. He said his agent, his agent came out. We don't know exactly what went on. Therefore, I think Ben should have at some point explained why he's not making trouble. I agree with that. And therefore, when we know that we can then maybe have a better understanding. It's been made more of a thing because they won't say what happened, which is obviously really annoying when they just like dangle a carrot there and don't really explain it. I agree with that. But don't you think you're damned if you do damned if you don't generally. I do agree with that, definitely. Because if he does speak, someone's always going to have an issue. I agree with you, Abi. I would like to hear his thoughts because then we can draw our own conclusions. Do you think he's got an attitude problem? No, I don't think Benjamin White or you wouldn't be playing under Mikel Arteta. Don't think he's got an attitude problem. Also as well, he was in the Euro 2020 squad, wasn't he? And never kicked a ball. There was no problem there. Yeah, but if it was about what was alluded about him not getting game time and things like that, I mean, it's a squad. Do we really believe Ben White does not want to play for his country because he's not getting game time? Really? Yeah. Really? That's disingenuous. I think that may be a final thought. Let's be honest, he's a target because he says, I don't watch football and do things like that. It was nothing to do with it. No, I'm speaking in general rhetoric around Benjamin White, not necessarily what you're saying. CJ, he became a target because it's very rare. He's been a target. Because it's very rare. The man's been a target. Because it's very rare. When he signed for this football club, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher came out and questioned his signing. He is someone that has forever been in the public eye. CJ, CJ, he's not the first person who's joined the football club. Didn't say he was the first. We're talking about Benjamin White though. Let's not get the violin out because people question him. I'm not getting the violin out. You wanted the violin out for Robertson getting a red card just five minutes ago. So if anyone knows about violin, it's you, mate. We're talking about Benjamin White. What we're not going to do is attack him. CJ, the reason why people talk about him is because it's very rare that a player makes himself unavailable for selection and comes to his country. That's why we're talking about him. It's the highest honour. We're not picking on him for no reason. But if you fell out with your boss, would you not go into work? I mean, I probably wouldn't. I'd feel intimidated. I'd have a conversation with HR. Well, have a conversation with HR. I don't feel intimidated here though. I can't really speak on this. If you have the opportunity to represent your country at the highest level and you consistently say no, whatever the reason, then why should you be welcome back in when there's a new manager? If you can't show up in major tournaments for your country? Because let bygones be bygones. Everyone deserves another chance. He's not the first or the last person that's had a bust up with their country and then been welcomed back in. Sure, but I think the question was, should he be? I think, okay, he can be because it is a different manager. But surely this question is redundant if two causes already made it clear he wants to have a conversation. Doesn't that tell you everything? But then as fans, as England fans, as we all are, then you can also have that conversation. Are you comfortable with that? So what about if he did that at Arsenal? How would you feel? Of course, then you'd have to face the music if he did that at Arsenal. But at the same time, he's his own man. It's just like with Aubameyang. I'm sure Mikel Arteta had his own thoughts in relation to Aubameyang, but we don't hear Aubameyang's side. There's two sides to every story. So would you welcome him back at Arsenal if he refused to play? If he refused to play, I can understand his side of view. Why not? If it's for the benefit of the team, he's not the first or last person that's refused to play for their club. I mean, look, squad harmony is incredibly important in tournament football. We know that. They're cooped up away from home for a long time. If Ben White thinks, look, I don't get on well with this guy, he is really, really annoyed with being Steve Holland and vice versa. And that's the thing. It's Steve Holland and what we allege to him. Yeah, we're going on scraps here, but that's what we've got to go on. If that is the case, then, you know, to give Ben White an enormous benefit of the doubt, he might be thinking, do you know what? If I'm around, it creates a bit of an atmosphere. I'm not playing. These guys are looking at me. Do you know what? I'm actually going to maybe even humble myself and take myself out of this. Now, I know a lot of people might laugh at that and go, come on, Marcus, you're right, man. But there is a possibility. I think this idea that he doesn't want to play for England is not true. And I go back to it. One of the things that wins you an international tournament is cold, hard pragmatism. That's what it is. Pragmatism. And you can't have too much sentiment. Well, he didn't want to play for us. Is he good enough? Is he going to play in the team? Is he going to give us something else? If the answer is yes, then you get him in there. It's not the first time we've seen this with international football. I mean, for crying out loud, the great Michael Laudrup stopped playing for Denmark when he thought, I don't like the tactics of this manager. Blah, blah, blah, blah. The funny thing was Denmark win Euro 92 without him, incredibly. But when when Michael Laudrup comes back into the Denmark side, I know he's probably the country's greatest ever player. But there's there's kind of like, come on, we could do with this guy, you know, let bygones be bygones. So you think these things can happen? People can fall out? Yeah, I think I think it's a spectacular example. I do. Because, you know, as you say, you know, I'm not interested. No, thank you. But I think that maybe you could say there's a bit of immaturity in that. He thinks, you know what, we don't get on. It causes a bit of an atmosphere. I'm best off out of it. And until he goes, then I won't come back. Some people may say I'm being very, very generous there, perhaps. But this is football. This is what happens. You know, the cycle of players go. And I'll tell you something, this kind of thing will happen. And what about when players pull out of international duty? There is that. There is definitely an issue there. I mean, they would argue it's temporary. Yeah, but I suppose with Ben White, he would say, look, if you're going to do it, do it. I would have him back if we think that he is one of the best two right backs in England, English right back. Sorry. But if he plays a back three as well. Yeah, I know we're going quite niche now. He could play right centre half. That's what I think he'd play, to be honest. Yeah, because you can't. I mean, Trent is, you know, looking at a back four. Ben White would be centre half. I mean, Trent, you know, Ben White can't even lace Trent's boots, let's be completely honest. So if it's a back four, Trent is better than Ben White. But if it's a back five, then you can play Ben White right centre half. It depends what job, though, because if England are playing against, say, that Spain side that they did in the final, and I know England were rather passive in that game and they ultimately lose 2-1. If you're going to have to have a very high concentration level against wingers that are flying out and all the rest of it, Ben White is a better option than Trent. But if England want to play on the front foot and play a bit more attacking and expansive, which a lot of England fans want to see, then Trent's your man. Trent could even play in midfield in that situation, which is a talking point. I think Trent defensively, though, Marcus, I think he's got a lot better, a lot more... Oh, no, yeah, I'm not saying he's terrible. I just think he does. But I'm comparing him with Ben White, who's playing in one of the best defences. Yeah, that's the one. Yeah, to be clear on that. Ben White clears him defensively, Trent's the better all-round packer, so you can see that. Yeah, we're all agreed. I'm happy. I thought you might have thought that. I was like, where is he going with that? Relax, relax, relax. He's not even that deluded. He couldn't. Appreciate that. Kind of sometimes the loony cooner, CJ, right? I've got to back my boys, man.