Tim Sherwood 'Shocked' by England's Ben White Selection Over Trent Alexander-Arnold
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood has voiced his astonishment at England's decision to call up Arsenal defender Ben White, while Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold remains overlooked. Sherwood described himself as "pleased" for White but "shocked" by the selection, which comes as a replacement for the injured Jarell Quansah in Thomas Tuchel's squad.
Ben White's Return to International Football
Ben White, 28, has not featured for England since the 2022 World Cup, where he withdrew from Gareth Southgate's squad after a reported training-ground clash with assistant manager Steve Holland. Following the tournament, White requested not to be considered for national duty. However, after Southgate and Holland departed their roles, White confirmed his availability last summer after candid discussions with new head coach Thomas Tuchel.
White last played for England almost four years ago, in a 3-0 win over Ivory Coast at Wembley. Despite his readiness to return, a lack of consistent starts at Arsenal delayed his recall until now. Tuchel appears to have been impressed by White's recent performances against Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen, with Arsenal's first-choice right-back Jurrien Timber sidelined due to injury.
Sherwood's Reaction and Praise for Tuchel
Speaking on Sky Sports News, Sherwood acknowledged White's merits, stating, "Once you get games for a big club, top of the league like Arsenal, why shouldn’t you get the England call-up?" He noted that Tuchel has "cleaned the slate" by focusing on the national team's needs rather than past conflicts.
However, Sherwood expressed disbelief at Alexander-Arnold's continued exclusion, especially with injuries affecting players like Eberechi Eze and Quansah. "It’s incredible for me, I can’t understand that," he said, referring to Tuchel's 37-player squad that includes Harvey Barnes and White but not Alexander-Arnold.
Despite his disagreement, Sherwood praised Tuchel's decisiveness, saying, "I like that in a manager, he’s not afraid to make big decisions." He added that omitting such an "incredible player" indicates the strength of England's squad.
Tuchel's Justification for Squad Decisions
Tuchel admitted that leaving out Alexander-Arnold was a "tough" choice, emphasizing it as a sporting decision based on current form and competition. He explained that players like Quansah, Tino Livramento, and Djed Spence have been retained to prove their worth in upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
"I know very well what Trent can offer us," Tuchel told reporters. "But at the moment, the players in camp for right full-back have to show they deserve their spots." He highlighted similar tough calls involving Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw, stressing the need to evaluate other talents like Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
England Squad Details and Upcoming Matches
England's squad for the friendlies includes notable names across all positions. In defense, White joins players like Harry Maguire and John Stones, while midfield features Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice. Up front, Harry Kane and Phil Foden lead the attack.
The Three Lions will host Uruguay at Wembley on Friday, followed by a match against Japan next Tuesday. These games serve as crucial preparation for future tournaments under Tuchel's leadership.
Sherwood's comments underscore the ongoing debates in English football over selection policies, as Tuchel reshapes the team with a focus on performance and merit over past reputations.
