Ben White has been called up to the England squad, but one former Tottenham Hotspur star believes the Arsenal defender should not be allowed to don the Three Lions shirt again

Tottenham icon Chris Waddle believes Arsenal defender Ben White must be banned from playing for England. The Gunners ace was called up by Thomas Tuchel for the Three Lions' Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain.

Before Tuchel was appointed, White made himself unavailable to play under Sir Gareth Southgate and ex-interim England boss Lee Carsley. The full-back was sent home from the Three Lions' World Cup camp in 2022, and had not been called up until Tuchel first selected him in March this year.

White was jeered when he came on the pitch as a substitute in a friendly against Uruguay, and it's possible the boos will return, should he make an appearance in the coming matches. When asked about White's call-up, Waddle stated he feels the ex-Brighton and Hove Albion defender should not be allowed to represent his country again.

Make sure you never miss the latest Tottenham news and opinion by making Football London one of your Google preferred sources

Waddle, speaking to iGaming.com via Metro, said: "Listen, Ben White shouldn’t be in the England squad, that’s my opinion. He refused to represent his country. I’m surprised Thomas brought him back in, and I don’t get why he has.

"There might be a shortage of full-backs, but when somebody turns down playing for their country, like Ben White did, to me that’s a lifetime ban. I’d say, 'Forget it mate, on my watch you’re not getting back in.'

"He’s not playing every game at Arsenal, so he’s a surprise inclusion to me. I think the England fans will show him what they think of what he did if he plays, because you don’t turn your country down and say, ‘I’m not interested in international football.’

"There are not many many players who would ever do that. There are even fewer who have been able to resurrect an international career after doing so.

"Once you turn your country down, there should be an asterisk next to your name that means you will never get the opportunity to put on that England shirt again. End of story. It’s all right coming out and saying, ‘Well, that was that time and this is now.'

"But he knew what he was doing. If he didn’t want to play then, why does he want to play now? As I say, he’s not the permanent right-back at Arsenal.

"Okay, he’s got that versatility where he can play centre-half as well. From Tuchel’s point of view, I think it’s a very, very strange call-up for him to make and one that he probably doesn’t need to make."

White has six international caps to his name, but was not selected for the Three Lions' World Cup squad. England are currently missing the injured Reece James, who may have been selected ahead of White had he not been side-lined.

Tuchel's side are also without Marc Guehi, who pulled out of the squad with an injury and was replaced by Bournemouth defender James Hill.