Declan Rice hopes to convince Arsenal team-mate Ben White to make an international U-turn and become available to play for England.
White has featured for the Premier League leaders this season but has not featured in the national team squad since the 2022 World Cup.
The 26-year-old returned early from Qatar for what the Football Association called “personal reasons” after reports emerged of an alleged bust-up with England assistant Steve Holland.
England manager Gareth Southgate denied any such decline when he announced his squad for this month’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium and revealed that White does not currently want to be selected by England.
White’s Arsenal team-mate Rice will captain England in Tuesday’s final friendly against Belgium at Wembley before the manager picks his 23-man squad for Euro 2024 – and then convinces White to help his fellow Arsenal team-mates Will prepare to do. Change his mind.
Rice said: “I can talk to him when I get back.” [White] And look in and out and see what he thinks.
“I would love for him to come.” I think Bukayo (saka) will do. I think it would be Aaron Ramsdell. I think we’ll all be on him when we get back…hopefully he can change his mind but I don’t. I don’t know the ins and outs of that conversation.”
Rice, who will earn his 50th England cap on Tuesday night, added: “The only thing I can say is, it’s Ben’s life, it’s Ben’s decision.
“We cannot argue with him about what he wants to do. Of course, there are always people who write things based on what they think.
“But at the end of the day, there’s only one thing he can think of and right now, he obviously doesn’t want to play for England.
“I really hope he will (change his mind), because I see him every day, he is such a good character. For people who don’t know, a good character, very well made, Very level head.
“When he’s on the football pitch he’ll do anything to win but I think even for England, he can play as a centre-back and a right-back, like inverted full-back, now he’s a really important tool. . What we can do.
“So I hope he changes his mind. Obviously, at the moment, he doesn’t feel like he wants it, so I think that’s his decision.
“I know him and Gareth talked about it internally, so I don’t know too much, but I hope he changes his mind.
“If you know him as a person and as a player like I do, he is such a good person. He is a good person and he is an incredible footballer.
“Playing for England is the biggest honor you can ever have. So hopefully with the quality he has and the quality he can bring to this side, we can bring him back.”
When will Southgate name their Euro squad?
It is England’s final game before Southgate names his long-list squad for the Euros on Tuesday 21 May – two days after the Premier League season ends. England then play two more international friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park on 3 June and Iceland at Wembley on 7 June before Southgate’s final 23-man squad is due to be confirmed by Sunday 8 June.
The tournament kicks off on Friday 14th June with England’s first game in Germany against Serbia on Saturday 15th June.
Southgate also confirmed Jude Bellingham will be fit to play, with the star midfielder struggling with cramp against Brazil.
What’s next for England?
England Host Belgium in a friendly at Wembley on Tuesday in a 7.45pm kick-off.
Gareth Southgate has been named in England’s preliminary squad for Euro 2024 on Tuesday 21 May – two days after the Premier League season ends.
England After that he played two more international friendlies Bosnia and Herzegovina at St. James’s Park on June 3 and Iceland Southgate’s final 23-man squad ahead of Wembley 7 June is to be confirmed on Sunday 8 June.
The tournament kicks off on Friday 14th June with England’s first game in Germany against Serbia on Saturday 15th June.
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