Declan Rice aims to persuade Arsenal colleague Ben White to reconsider England allegiance
Published on: March 26, 2024.
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Declan Rice, the captain of the England national football team, is hoping to persuade his Arsenal teammate, Ben White, to reconsider his decision to not play for England. Despite his impressive performances for Arsenal this season, White has not been included in the national team squad since the 2022 World Cup. White’s early return from Qatar and rumored clash with England assistant Steve Holland have raised questions about his future with the national team.
Rice, who has been named captain for England’s friendly against Belgium, expressed his desire for White to change his mind. He believes that having a player of White’s caliber in the squad would be a valuable addition.
White, who recently signed a new contract with Arsenal, has been in exceptional form for the club this season. Rice also highlighted White’s versatility, which could be advantageous for England in a tournament where squad size is limited.
Rice emphasized that the decision ultimately lies with White and that he can’t argue with his teammate’s choices. He hopes that White will reconsider and join the England squad, praising his character and abilities as a footballer.
While Rice acknowledges that the final decision rests with White, he revealed that White and England manager Gareth Southgate have discussed the situation privately. Rice is optimistic that White will change his mind and realize the honor of playing for England.
Source: SportsMax
