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Thomas Tuchel gives update on Ben White’s England future after latest snub

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Thomas Tuchel has addressed Ben White’s absence from the latest England squad, despite the Arsenal defender recently declaring his readiness to return to international football. White has not played for the national team since his early departure from the 2022 World Cup camp in Qatar.

At the time, then-manager Gareth Southgate revealed White had requested not to be called up, leading to widespread speculation regarding his decision, especially considering his consistent performances for Arsenal.

Rumors of a fallout with former assistant coach Steve Holland were denied by Southgate, but the reasons behind White’s prolonged absence remained unclear until now.

With Tuchel taking over as England’s new head coach, White publicly confirmed he was available for selection. Still, the 27-year-old was left out of the squad announced on Friday, ahead of the Premier League’s final weekend.

England is scheduled to face Andorra in a World Cup qualifier on June 7, followed by a friendly against Senegal at the City Ground on June 10.

Tuchel explained that White’s omission was a mutual decision based on both personal and physical factors. Speaking at a press conference, the German coach revealed that White is expecting his first child, with the due date coinciding with the start of England’s training camp.

Tuchel expressed his support for White, stating it was important that his return to the national team come at a time when he could be fully focused on football.

He emphasized that while White had returned to action for Arsenal after knee surgery, his physical condition was not yet at its peak.

Tuchel estimated that White could improve his performance by 10–15 percent and confirmed that, while he was fit to be selected, the timing wasn’t right due to family commitments.

White has only appeared in five Premier League matches in 2025 following a four-month layoff caused by surgery. His versatility across the backline remains an asset, but the national team will have to wait longer for his return.

In contrast, one of the most notable inclusions in the new England squad is striker Ivan Toney, who earns a recall despite not featuring for the Three Lions since the Euro 2024 final against Spain.

Toney’s move from Brentford to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia last summer raised questions about his international future, with many assuming it signaled the end of his England career. However, Tuchel defended the decision to include the 29-year-old forward, citing his 20-goal season and his key role in winning the Asian Champions League.

Tuchel admitted he had planned to visit Toney in Saudi Arabia earlier this year but ultimately decided to bring him into the squad instead to evaluate him firsthand in the current environment.

Toney joins Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins as the three strikers selected, with Tuchel opting to leave out Dominic Solanke.

Although Solanke played in the March camp and helped Tottenham secure a Europa League triumph, Tuchel said he already has a clear understanding of what Solanke brings to the team.

This camp, he added, is an opportunity to assess new players in action and integrate them into the group.

Tuchel’s decisions reflect a balance between personal understanding and strategic planning as he shapes the future of the England national team. With upcoming matches serving as early tests under his leadership, the squad selections reveal both continuity and experimentation.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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