Arsenal’s Ben White’s Potential U-Turn on England Selection Explored by Captain Declan Rice

England‘s Ben White may be on the brink of a dramatic u-turn regarding his international career as Arsenal‘s Declan Rice sets out to persuade him to reconsider his decision.

White, who withdrew from England duty after an alleged altercation with assistant coach Steve Holland, has chosen to distance himself from national team duties since the 2022 World Cup.

Rice, who will captain England against Belgium in the absence of regulars such as Harry Maguire and Harry Kane, expressed his hopefulness in convincing White, alongside Arsenal teammates Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale, to rejoin the national fold.

The duo’s Arsenal connection and shared experiences could be instrumental in swaying White’s stance, according to Rice, who believes White’s versatility and quality could be a valuable asset to the England squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament.

Southgate has confirmed Jude Bellingham‘s availability despite initial concerns over his fitness, as the manager looks to assess his options before finalizing the 23-man squad for the Euros.

Proving his leadership credentials on and off the pitch, Rice is set to earn his 50th England cap in what is poised to be a momentous occasion for the midfielder at Wembley.

The friendly against Belgium will serve as Southgate’s last chance to evaluate his squad before the pivotal Euro 2024 longlist announcement, leading up to England’s opening match against Serbia in Germany.

Further internationals against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland will follow as Southgate looks to fine-tune his squad ahead of the prestigious tournament, where England will aim to build on their recent successes.