‘What are you doing?’
Jeff Stelling has hit out at Ben White’s decision to go on holiday during the international break.
Many were left surprised to see White left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium however the England boss revealed that Arsenal sporting director Edu had called to tell him that the full back wasn’t available for selection.
Reports suggested that a fall out between White and Southgate’s assistant, Steve Holland, was the reason behind the defender not wanting to play for his country.
“For me that is a great shame,” Southgate said. “He is a player we took to the Euros, a player we took to the World Cup and I spoke to him post-Qatar because I wanted to pick him.
“He is not available to us and there is no issue between us at all and I also should say there is never any issue with (coach) Steve Holland because that has been mentioned in articles and I don’t like that.”
Stelling slams White
With Arsenal not playing during the international break, first team members not involved with their countries were allowed some time off.
White, like many of his other teammates, used the time to go away with wife Milly Adams.
The 26-year-old’s partner shared a picture of their time away in which they were sat by the pool playing Uno.
That picture alone was enough to send Stelling wild.
“He decided he didn’t want to play for England in the games against Brazil and Belgium,” Stelling began on TalkSPORT.
“He has been enjoying his time there by the looks of it, whilst his England teammates suffered a 1-0 defeat to Brazil, Ben was enjoying a game of UNO and soaking up the sun on a beach in Dubai.
“I have a bit of sympathy for people who play cards, but not Ben. What are you doing?
“What are you doing posting the fact that you are in Dubai playing cards? You decided not to play for England, that’s fine. Your prerogative, just let the boys get on with it.”
Stelling did later address the message in a post on X in which he doubled down on insisting that it was White’s decision to not play for England.
“Re Ben White. This taken right out of context. Completely his prerogative not to play for England and we could do with him now. Just suggested gently that when England have lost to Brazil not the best time to post him in Dubai playing Uno.”
White divides the footballing fanbase
By now I’m sure you’re all aware that White isn’t the biggest fan of football.
Technically speaking, that’s wrong. He obviously does like football, because he plays it. The concept of watching football though? Not for him.
In fact he told The Telegraph at the start of this month: “I know people say I don’t like football. I go home and football is not on my mind. I can just be a normal person, relax. [But] when I am in here, it is intense.
“I want to win everything that I do. My missus and I play a lot of games at home and I won’t be letting her win. I remember being young and always wanting to win and play aggressive and do as much as I could to win.
Related links:
- England players to wear nameless shirts in second half of game against Belgium
- FA break silence on England shirt uproar
- Sven-Goran Eriksson names the one current England player who would get in his ‘Golden Generation’ side
