Martin Keown and Simon Jordan have locked horns in a heated debate over Ben White’s England future.
The white has four international caps to his name after making his debut in 2021.
However, the arsenal The defender has been sidelined for the Three Lions since declaring himself unavailable for selection after returning home from EnglandQatar 2022 World Cup camp.
White has not featured for England since, but with Thomas Tuchel set to take over as Gareth Southgate’s permanent replacement, following an interim spell under Lee Carsley, there are rumors he could make a U-turn.
Could Ben White return to England under Tuchel?
Of course, White will have to prove himself once again for England, with many believing he has turned his back on his country.
The issue has already sparked debate between Keown and Jordan, who were at opposite ends of the spectrum in the following clash at talkSPORT:
Keown:
“I think it’s a bit disrespectful to go into this when we haven’t talked about Morgan Rogers, Taylor Harwood-Bellis who got a chance out of nowhere, Conor Gallagher as well.
“You are talking about Ben White who has just had a knee procedure and needs to get into the Arsenal squad first before he gets into the England squad.
“But I think it would be good news if he was available because it’s an area where we need better and more experienced players.”
Jordan:
“You’ve been praising the culture of players who want to play in England – here’s a player who doesn’t want to play in England and now, because he’s playing for Arsenal, you’re advocating that he can play in England again!”
Keown:
“I’m saying we have to keep the door open because we’re not blessed with experienced players in that position.
“Why is it an exception? He has fallen out with Steve Holland and neither wanted to back down; we’re not privy to the conversation, okay?
“For me, it doesn’t matter to me at the moment because he’s not fit and available and he hasn’t declared anything publicly. When he does, it’s a different conversation.”
Jordan:
“I think you have to take the hard with the soft and Martin will attest to the point that you judge people in adversity, not when things go your way.
“He doesn’t get on well with Steve Holland, so he decides he wants to sit out when his nation needs him at a tournament: ‘Not for me, thanks, it doesn’t suit me.’
“In my opinion, from an outsider looking in, I don’t think that’s acceptable.
“I don’t think that’s the mentality and culture you want in the trenches when it gets dirty.
“If there’s fuel on the fire that wasn’t related to Steve Holland, then what? Get over it.
“Get over it, be a man and have character, the kind of character that separates the winners from the losers and the people who can reach and overcome adversity, bite your gum shield and represent your country.
“It was John F Kennedy who said ‘ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country’ – where was Ben White? In his deck chair looking at himself in a mirror.
“The privilege you have is to be called upon by your country and if you don’t think that’s a privilege because you’ve had a bad word with someone, then you’re not the kind of person I think we should be talking about.”
Keown:
“When you play for your country you’re in that tunnel and you’re representing everybody, so to go that far and allow someone to take it away from you, it wouldn’t have been me.
“But I am not privy to the conversation.
“If he needed help with that, I’d love to support him and get him back in charge, but I don’t think we should slam the door in his face like other people have said.
“I think we should be a bit more understanding because he is someone who can add real value to the England team and Thomas Tuchel will look at what he brings on the pitch and not the big picture.”
