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Friday evening marked an important night in Ben White\u2019s footballing calendar as he returned to the pitch for England after years of absence and Thomas Tuchel has been forced to come out and defend the 28-year-old.<\/p>\n
The Arsenal right-back, who has just five Three Lions caps to his name and is also being linked with a summer move to Everton, started on the bench against Uruguay but was called upon in the 69th minute.<\/p>\n
To many people\u2019s surprise, he scored just north of ten minutes after entering the fray before giving away a penalty at the other end of the pitch.<\/p>\n
Read More: <\/strong>Noni Madueke injury latest as Arsenal winger forced off in England\u2019s 1-1 draw with Uruguay<\/p>\n It was quite a memorable return for White, who went from hero to zero within the space of 13 minutes, and Tuchel raced to his defence in his post-match press conference. But what did the German say?<\/p>\n White\u2019s period of international absence had sparked a debate about whether he had a future with England or not \u2013 but with Gareth Southgate and Steve Holland no longer in the picture, it seems that he could be back in with a shot.<\/p>\n In case you missed it, sections of the Wembley crowd decided to boo the Poole-born defender during England\u2019s stale draw.<\/p>\n Him making his first Three Lions appearance since walking away from the squad in 2022 was met with jeers when his name was announced after he notched his first-ever goal on the international stage.<\/p>\n Tuchel, being the good man-manger that he is, defended White\u2019s inclusion in the England squad and claimed that he was disappointed with the supporters for meeting his return with boos<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard that he was booed. I didn\u2019t hear it actually because I was involved in the changes and instructions,\u201d Tuchel said, per Sky Sports<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt cannot be the majority. There were some boos and some mixed reception for him which I\u2019m disappointed about because of course we protect our players.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was excellent in camp and he deserved to come on. He deserves also to start. Got us almost the winner. But I also understood that it happened to other players before here. So he needs to take it on the chin. <\/p>\n \u201cWe will always protect him and hopefully we can put it behind (us) because he is ready to write some new chapters and we are ready to give him the chance, so hopefully everyone can move on and accept it.\u201d<\/p>\nFrom hero to zero, Ben White\u2019s England return defended by Tuchel <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Listen to Thomas Tuchel\u2019s assessment on the White situation below:<\/strong><\/h3>\n