There is a lot of weight on the shoulders of the England national team heading into the Qatar World Cup. For some, this is their best chance at winning their second World Cup trophy and first major international trophy since 1966.
The English team is filled with some quality players across all the positions.
From captain Harry Kane, who won the golden boot in the previous edition, in-form Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham and Arsenal starboy Bukayo Saka – there is a lot of talent in the Three Lions squad.
Of course, there have been some surprise inclusions in the World Cup squads involving players who weren’t given much of a chance to be on the plane to Qatar a few months ago.
One of those players includes Arsenal defender Ben White, who has been picked as a back-up right-back rather than in the centre-back position.
To be honest, White’s inclusion is mostly because of Chelsea right-back Reece James missing the World Cup due to injury.
Gareth Southgate probably wants a defensively secure option in the right-back position as a backup to Kieran Trippier – knowing that Trent Alexander-Arnold is vulnerable at the back.
White’s performances this season have also played a major role in him making the squad as well. The Englishman has been one of the silent heroes for Mikel Arteta’s side, adapting to the right-back role with ease and neutralizing the threat through his wing for Arsenal.
Ben might be a no-nonsense, aggressive defender on the pitch – but he’s really not that serious about the beautiful game off of it. White even claimed last year that he actually never watches football matches and has never seen Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira’s performances.
Despite having such a laid-back attitude outside the pitch, he turns into an extremely reliable defender when the whistle blows and is ready to put it all on the line for the team he’s representing.
He gave a glaring example of his ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude when arriving to meet up with his England teammates before they fly off to Qatar for the World Cup.
As the players got all together at the St George’s Park National Football Centre, White got himself to look like an odd one out in the squad.
While every member of the Three Lions’ squad opted to don the attire of the national team, wearing the official England tracksuits designed by Nike, White clearly didn’t get the memo on what was to be worn to the meet-up.
Instead, the defender opted to wear a brown Amiri hoodie and track pants that would set you off by $1000 each.
Gareth Southgate isn’t really the strictest of managers, so he is unlikely to give White a harsh punishment for not dressing according to the situation.
Ben didn’t really seem embarrassed or even bothered about wearing something completely different to the attire of his teammates.
He’s someone who probably loves to stand out and will hope to get some minutes in the World Cup – where he’ll be gunning to do just that for England.
