Declan Rice Aiming To Coax Ben White Into Making England U-Turn

England manager Gareth Southgate recently revealed that the Arsenal defender has asked to be excused from national team selections at the moment.

White has been one of Arsenal's best players this season as the Gunners aim to win the Premier League title and make a meaningful mark in Europe.

But he has not added to his four caps for England since leaving camp early during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after rumors circulated he had an altercation with assistant manager Steve Holland.

With EURO 2024 coming up this summer, White's versatility and quality could be useful for the Three Lions as they aim to win a first major trophy since the 1966 FIFA World Cup.

Rice said: "When I get back I can have a conversation with him [White] and see the ins and outs and see what he thinks.

"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."

Rice, who will earn his 50th England cap on Tuesday night against Belgium in an international friendly, added: "The only thing I can say is, it's Ben's life. 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 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.

"I really hope he does (change his mind), because I see him every day, he is such a good character. For people that don't know, 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 in 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 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.

"If you know him as a person and as a player like I do, he's such a good guy. He's such a good guy and he's an unbelievable footballer.

"Playing for England is the greatest honour you could ever have. So hopefully, with the quality that he has and the quality he can bring to this side, we can get him back in."