Declan Rice hopes Ben White will agree to end his England exile and reveals he will hold talks with his Arsenal team-mate over international snub – but Three Lions’ newest captain insists ‘we can’t argue with him’
Declan Rice says he will speak to Ben White upon his return to Arsenal, with England’s newest captain hopeful that his club team-mate will eventually agree to end his exile.
White is not with the Three Lions squad after informing Gareth Southgate that he does not want to be selected for his country.
Rice, who is set to be skipper against Belgium at Wembley on Tuesday, was asked about the situation at his press conference on Monday.
‘The only thing I can say is it’s Ben’s life,’ said Rice. ‘It’s Ben’s decision. We can’t argue with him, with what he wants to do. Of course, there’s always going to be people writing stuff, having their opinions on what on what they think.
‘But at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what he thinks and at this moment in time, he obviously doesn’t want to play for England.
Declan Rice hopes Ben White will agree to U-turn on his England international exile
Rice (left) plans to hold talks with Arsenal team-mate White (right) upon his return to the club
Midfielder Rice will captain the Three Lions in their friendly against Belgium this week
‘I really hope he does (change his mind), because I see him every day, he is such a good character. Very composed. Very level-headed.
‘When he’s on a football pitch, he will do anything to win but also I think for England as well, he can play as a centre back and at right back, as an inverted full back. Now he’s a really key tool that we could have.
‘So I hope he changes his mind. Obviously, at this moment in time, he doesn’t feel like he wants that. So that I think that is his decision.
‘I know him and Gareth spoke internally about it. So I don’t know too much of the ins and outs, but I just hope he changes his mind.’
Rice also claimed his fellow Arsenal team-mates within the England ranks would be attempting to change White’s mind.
‘When I get back I can have a conversation with him and see the ins and outs and see what he thinks,’ he added.
‘I would love him to come. I think Bukayo (Saka) would. I think Aaron Ramsdale would. I think we’re all going to be on him when we get back to say… hopefully, he can change his mind but I don’t know the ins and outs of that conversation.’
