Arsenal star Ben White has endured a tough week since England manager Gareth Southgate revealed that he did not want to be considered for International selection.
It since emerged that White’s previous departure from the World Cup squad came after a fallout with England coach Steve Holland, who swiped at the player’s previous comments about how much football he watches beyond his professional duties.
White has since been unfairly criticised, with Southgate throwing the defender under the bus and failing to properly explain why the 26-year-old no longer wanted to play for his country, and former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has now questioned the statements Southgate made about the Arsenal star.
Micah Richards questions Gareth Southgate explanation over Ben White controversy
Speaking on The Rest Is Football Podcast, Richards claimed that Southgate revealing a conversation England representatives had with Arsenal director Edu Gaspar about White was a strange move.
“What was interesting about it is the talk around it, when Gareth came out and said basically he spoke to Edu and he said he didn’t want to be considered. That’s a bit that I found a little bit weird, like why is that in public news?” Richards explained.
“Gareth said ‘well I didn’t understand’ he said he doesn’t know the reasons why, but surely as England manager, you would know the reasons why, that’s the bit I didn’t really understand.”
Gareth Southgate has not fully explained Ben White’s England situation
When Southgate gave an explanation for White’s absence from the latest England squad, he stressed that White’s reported argument with Holland was not to blame, despite it later emerging that this was the reason behind his exit from the World Cup.
Southgate’s explanation, without any reply from White, paints the situation as one of White not caring enough to play for his country, rather than revealing the true reasons behind the fallout.
As a result, White has been slammed by fans and media in the days since, whilst England went on to lose to Brazil and draw to Belgium in friendlies ahead of the European Championships this summer.
Southgate’s selection of what information to divulge in the situation has rightfully been questioned by Richards. He was quick to reveal that Edu had spoken to the England camp on White’s behalf, but offered no insight as to why one of the Premier League’s best defenders did not want to appear for his country ahead of a major tournament.
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