Thomas Tuchel has been urged to have a conversation with Arsenal defender Ben White about an England recall following his appointment as Three Lions manager.
White, who has four England caps to his name, has not featured for his country since he left the Three Lions camp midway through the last World Cup in Qatar.
Speaking in March, ex-manager Gareth Southgate said White had made himself unavailable for international selection, ruling him out of contention for the Euros last summer.
White is believed to have fallen out with Southgate’s assistant manager Steve Holland but there has been talk of an England return now Tuchel is in the hot-seat.
Southgate stepped down following England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain and German coach Tuchel was announced as his replacement last week.
Tuchel is yet to comment on White’s England future but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who was part of Southgate’s coaching set-up, believes the pair should have a chat with an eye on a recall.
White predominately played as a centre-back for Brighton but has excelled at right-back for Arsenal, making over 100 appearances over the last three seasons to help Mikel Arteta’s side establish themselves as regular Premier League title contenders.
‘When a new manager comes in it always brings a chance for different players to come into the fold and that will be no different under Thomas Tuchel,’ Hasselbaink told BoyleSports.
‘He might have specific players he likes in specific positions and I wouldn’t be surprised if he talks to Ben White.
‘Ben White is a good player, a top English player so I’m sure he will be considered. I’m not sure if he will join the squad but I’m sure he’ll be looked at.’
Hasselbaink played for several Premier League clubs – including Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Leeds – before going into coaching following his retirement.
Discussing England’s appointment of Tuchel, the former striker added: ‘Thomas Tuchel is a good name to replace Gareth Southgate.
‘He has done a lot in the game and has a good pedigree, it is a big job but he is a big name and it’s a great opportunity for him.
‘He has worked with big players and big personalities, it’s a very exciting appointment for England.
‘It doesn’t matter that Thomas Tuchel isn’t English. When we beat the Netherlands at Euro 2024 there was no sentimental feeling for me as an England coach, it was just one of those things.
‘I was really focused and determined for us to win and I was delighted for the staff and the players that we won the semi-final. It will be the same for Tuchel.
‘It will be easy for Tuchel to change his allegiances. It’s all about England for him now, that is his job and his life.
‘He has said that he loves living in England and he speaks perfect English, it won’t be like having Fabio Capello in charge because he also knows the majority of the players.
‘He has worked with big names at PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Bayern Munich. I think the timing is great.’
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