Brighton center-back, Ben White said he was speechless when he heard the news that he has been invited to join the England squad for Euro 2020.
The 23-year-old center-back was coach Gareth Southgate’s option after it was confirmed that an injury would not allow Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold to participate in Euro 2020.
Recall that Ben White was one of the players that made it into Southgate’s 30-man provisional list for the competition. Unfortunately for him, he missed out when the coach had to cut down the list to a 26-man list.
Afterward, the table turned against Trent Alexander-Arnold who people agitated for until he was included in Southgate’s 26-man list. Unfortunately for him, the Liverpool defender got injured during a friendly match against Austria and had to bow out of the tournament.
Ben White who made 36 appearances for Brighton in the just concluded 2020-2021 season replaced the right-back less than 5 days to the commencement of the championship.
Beyond proud and honoured! I’ll give it my everything 🦁🦁🦁 @England pic.twitter.com/kjMAAgalqK
— Benjamin White (@ben6white) June 7, 2021
In reaction after the call-up, Ben White said he was already planning where he would spend his holiday before the call-up came because he was not expecting it.
“It’s been very surreal, obviously I didn’t think this was going to be happening,” he said. “I thought I was going to be somewhere hot, in Portugal or something like that.
“It’s mind-blowing really I didn’t expect any of this to happen, even being in the 33-man squad was enough for me. To make it to the final squad was unbelievable.
“I got a call from someone at Brighton telling me the manager was going to call me and I was just waiting for the call…
“I don’t think I’ve let it settle in yet. It’s something that I have never felt before, news like that doesn’t normally come around.
“I was just speechless really, and it felt amazing.”
Ben White has already made two appearances for England national team since he made his debut on June 2, 2021. The 23-year-old defender would attempt to use the Euro 2020 to break into the national team fully and also attract the attention of bigger clubs with his performance.
At last Check, Tottenham Hotspur have shown interest in the Brighton defender who still has until June 30, 2024, before his contract with the club expires.
