The Brighton defender’s inclusion suggests the three-at-the-back is on the cards
As per England’s official announcement, Ben White will replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s Euro 2020. He is Gareth Southgate‘s final selection and restores the team to the ten defenders that were initially finalised.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein released a more detailed piece following the announcement, which cited “uncertainty over Harry Maguire’s fitness” meaning as a possible reason White was picked ahead of others like Jesse Lingard, James Ward-Prowse or Ollie Watkins. What do we reckon then?
Ben White replaces Trent Alexander-Arnold in Southgate’s final England squad 🦁
The right call? https://t.co/70FUtTHlS8
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) June 7, 2021
Ornstein makes a good point: not only would White provide “extra cover in central defence” but the 23-year-old defender has played in multiple roles at Brighton this season. His confidence on the ball could see him even play a holding role in the midfield, should further injuries necessitate.
Distributing from deep was certainly something being levelled at Trent, who many thought Southgate was also taking given his long-passing ability could see him pop elsewhere other than at right-back. White himself has played there on a number of occasions this season but predominantly on the right of a back three, which looks increasingly likely to be England’s formation.
He also noted how White was preferred over Ben Godfrey, another young, versatile centre-back by trade but who has perhaps played even more of a utility role at Everton than his counterpart this season. White clearly made an impression picking up a holding role against Austria last week, because it looks to have secured him the spot from others.
We are now a matter of days away from Euro 2020: how are the nerves holding up folks? More importantly, does the inclusion of Ben White help settle them at all, or should we have gone for another attacker?
While you’re here, you might as well familiarise yourself with the Euro 2020 fixtures list: who’s got who, when and where and how to watch them. Your welcome.
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