Arsenal star Ben White has been slammed by sections of the media after rejecting an England call-up, but former goalkeeper Ben Foster has defended him.
White has not featured in an England squad since the World Cup, during which he departed early after a fallout with Gareth Southgate and assistant coach Steve Holland.
With the defender now in excellent form, Southgate claimed that he wanted to recall him back to the England squad, but the player insisted he did not want to be considered for selection.
This has led to heavy criticism, with Harry Redknapp slamming the 26-year-old, but Ben Foster has now leapt to the defence of White, citing his own personal experience within the England squad.
Ben Foster defends Ben White after England controversy
Speaking on The Fozcast, Foster highlighted the difficulties which can be faced in and around the England camp, and claimed that if White prefers to rest and recuperate during International breaks instead of going to sit on the bench, then he is right to do so.
“You’ve got to put yourself in Ben white’s shoes. If he doesn’t like new environments, new people, he might be an anxious character – you just don’t know what these sort of people are like so I’m with him,” he stated.
“If he enjoys these international breaks, just getting away from it, relaxing, then power to you mate.”
Ben Foster benching shows Ben White is right to snub England
Foster also explained that during his playing days, he was asked to join an England squad immediately after the birth of his child, and he accepted the call-up on the basis that he was told he would play.
However, he was an unused substitute, and this was a frustrating moment for him. This then meant at the next International break, he refused a callup himself because of what happened to him the previous time.
It is difficult for players who are used to playing regularly for their clubs, to then join a large squad knowing that they will not make it off then bench, and White was clearly frustrated with the lack of opportunities he was receiving with England.
Southgate tends to pick from a limited range of players irrespective of form, and this favouritism clearly does not sit well with players who deserve to be picked based on their performances rather than their relationships with the manager.