White is good, but he's not Bellingham or Kane. If he wants to play for England, he must get in Tuch

ALTHOUGH there was something of a clamour for Thomas Tuchel to rock up at the draw for the European qualifying stage of World Cup 2026, he was never going to say much.

What can he say? Looking forward to getting started, not an easy draw, Happy Christmas, auf wiedersehen? But when he was asked about Ben White, Tuchel replied: "Yes, I will reach out to him." Now, this might have just been a polite answer or the first thing that came into his head, but why would an England manager reach out to White? When he was asked about the subject during his time as interim boss, this is what Lee Carsley said: "Every player that is eligible to play for England is in with a chance. As far as I am aware, he asked not to be contacted. If that changes, that will change." White (below) asked not to be contacted, which makes this a fairly simple situation.

With regard to the chances of him adding to his four caps - earned in four forgettable friendlies - the next move is with the player himself.