Ben White's Journey: Overcoming Jeers and Rebuilding His Career
Thomas Tuchel insists Ben White is strong enough to live with the jeers – but he would much rather England fans let the defender turn the page.
The 29-year-old has become an unlikely lightning rod for a section of the support. He removed himself from England duty under Sir Gareth Southgate after leaving Qatar during the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup for “personal reasons”, amid reports of a fall-out with former assistant Steve Holland.
He only returned to the national set-up in March under Tuchel and was booed then. He was booed again on Thursday night.
This is a player who has barely spoken publicly about that World Cup exit. This week, the Arsenal defender hinted there is more to the story, saying supporters would not react the same way if they knew the full picture, but he refused to “throw anyone under the bus”. The restraint has not softened every crowd.
White was jeered as he came off the bench in the 2-1 Nations League win over Croatia at Wembley, a game that should have been remembered simply for Harry Kane’s record-breaking night and England’s qualification for the quarter-finals. Instead, the soundtrack included a rumble of disapproval for a player trying to rebuild his international career.
When it was put to Tuchel that even Croatia substitute Luka Modric received a warmer ovation than his own defender, the England head coach met it with a smile.
“I didn't hear the boos, to be honest,” he said. “I heard the claps for Luka Modric, which is nice because he deserves it, he's a legend of the game, but I honestly didn't hear the boos for Ben. I thought we were past that chapter.
“I hope it doesn't happen again. He's a player of ours. Since I'm in charge, he's desperate to come and to be with the group. He doesn't put a foot wrong since I'm in charge.
“I can only judge him on what I see and what I experienced, and it is on the highest level, and he can really help us to win football matches.
“Like I said, he's part of our group, and we will protect our group, and are protective of our group. He deserves to be with us and, yeah, I hope we can open a new chapter for him.”
The reaction was notably more muted than in March, and Tuchel does not believe the noise will drive White away again, even if a minority persist.
“I don't think so,” he said. “I don't want to make it bigger than it is. I don't think so, I don't hope so.
“He seemed to me always committed and always dedicated and excited to come into camp and get the call-up.
“He had too many injuries. He's a high-quality player, and I honestly don't even know what happened and what were the deep reasons in the situation that he left camp.
“So, like I said, (since) I'm in charge, there is no reason to doubt his commitment or passion. I don't want to think in these extreme terms at the moment.
“He overcame the boos the last time. I didn't hear them this time and he can play on a high level. He proves it week in, week out for Arsenal.”
While the White subplot crackled in the background, the main story belonged, once again, to Kane. On his 126th England appearance – a new record – the captain settled the contest with a typically ruthless penalty, restoring the lead after Petar Sucic had cancelled out Morgan Rogers’ opener.
The 2-1 victory locked in England’s place in March’s Nations League quarter-finals and set up exactly what Tuchel wanted: a straight shootout with group leaders Spain on Sunday for top spot in Group A3.
“It cannot always be glamorous and super exciting,” Tuchel said. “Sometimes just to be serious and determined, and we got the job done.
“We wanted the win, we wanted a ‘final’ on Sunday in Spain, and we have it.”
White’s story, though, is far from finished. The next chapter will be written not just by his performances, but by whether Wembley is ready to let one of its own start again.
