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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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Napoli-linked Sancho ‘attracting interest’ from new Serie A side

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Napoli-linked Sancho 'attracting interest' from new Serie A side

Juventus are reportedly set to compete with Napoli for the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer.

The 25-year-old is back at Old Trafford following a season-long loan at Chelsea, where he made a solid impact with five goals and 10 assists across 41 competitive appearances. He also found the net in Chelsea’s convincing 4-1 victory in last month’s Conference League final, though his efforts were not enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.

Chelsea were initially expected to secure Sancho for £25 million as part of their loan agreement but ultimately chose to walk away from the obligation. As a result, they were required to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty fee.

Despite being under contract with United, Sancho is not considered part of manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. If he fails to secure a transfer in the coming weeks, the winger is expected to be left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States.

Juventus enter the race for Sancho

Napoli had previously emerged as the frontrunner for Sancho’s signature, with the player reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the Serie A champions. However, a deal between Manchester United and Napoli has yet to be finalized.

According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have now entered the picture, exploring the financial and contractual terms of a potential move. The Turin-based side is seriously evaluating the opportunity to sign the England international, who has earned 23 senior caps.

Is Juventus the right fit for Sancho?

Juventus manager Igor Tudor is preparing for his first full season in charge after leading the team to a top-four finish last term. Known for deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Tudor’s system does not traditionally utilize wide wingers like Sancho.

If he joins Juventus, Sancho would likely compete for one of the two attacking midfield spots behind the main striker—a role that currently sees strong competition from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez. Unless one of these players is sold, Sancho might struggle to find regular playing time in Turin.

Napoli, on the other hand, could offer a more suitable environment for the former Borussia Dortmund star. With the club still looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January, Sancho may find more opportunities to thrive in his preferred position on the wing.

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Flamengo punish 10-Man Chelsea in 3-1 Club World Cup stunner (Highlights)

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Flamengo 3-1 Chelsea

Nicolas Jackson endured a nightmare cameo as Chelsea collapsed in the second half against Flamengo during their FIFA Club World Cup clash, suffering a 3-1 defeat that puts their tournament hopes at risk.

Chelsea initially took the lead through Pedro Neto, whose composed finish through the goalkeeper’s legs gave the Premier League side a promising start. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the break.

Flamengo responded in ruthless fashion, netting twice in quick succession. Substitute Bruno Henrique capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range, followed by another back-post finish from Danilo that stunned the Blues and put the Brazilian side ahead.

Matters worsened for Chelsea when substitute Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card just four minutes after entering the pitch.

His dangerous challenge saw his studs connect with Lucas Ayrton’s shin, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off immediately.

Flamengo sealed the win with a third goal, as Wallace Yan added the final blow to a chaotic second half that Chelsea will want to forget.

The result means Chelsea must now beat African side ES Tunis in their next match on Tuesday to progress to the last 16. However, finishing second in the group could set them up for a much tougher path, likely facing the winner of Group C, which may include Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.

Flamengo’s victory strengthens their bid to top Group D and extends the unbeaten run of South American teams in the Club World Cup’s newly expanded format.

Flamengo vs Chelsea Highlight

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Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan: Ramos opener earns shock draw after Lautaro misses sitter

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Monterrey vs Inter Milan

Monterrey secured their spot in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, now known as the CONCACAF Cup.

Fast forward four years, and the team returned to the international stage at the Rose Bowl with only one player from that title-winning squad still in the lineup: veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The club had not lifted any silverware since that 2021 triumph, which made what happened next even more unexpected.

In a surprising twist, Monterrey opened the scoring against Inter Milan in the 25th minute, as Sergio Ramos delivered a perfectly placed header.

The Spanish defender, who joined the Mexican outfit earlier this year on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, had cited the Club World Cup as a major influence in his decision to sign. His goal sent the Monterrey fans into wild celebrations.

However, their joy didn’t last long. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martínez—fresh off a World Cup win—responded with a close-range finish following a perfectly orchestrated set-piece.

The Argentine’s goal silenced the Rayados-dominated crowd and brought the game level at 1-1 before halftime.

The second half saw both teams tighten up defensively, limiting each other’s chances as the game wore on.

Inter, still recovering from a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, looked eager to reassert themselves. But it was Monterrey who rose to the occasion, matching their European opponents stride for stride and leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a gritty performance.

Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan Highlights

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