Declan Rice has come to the defense of his Arsenal team-mate Ben White after the defender was booed by supporters at Wembley during England’s 2-1 victory over Croatia.
Support for Ben White
White entered the UEFA Nations League match as a substitute, marking another appearance following his return to the national setup. The defender previously departed the England camp during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for personal reasons and remained unavailable for selection throughout the remainder of Gareth Southgate’s tenure. He also faced jeers from a section of fans during a 1-1 draw against Ukraine in March after returning to the squad under Thomas Tuchel.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, as reported by BBC Sport, Rice expressed confusion over the ongoing scrutiny regarding an incident from several years ago. Rice stated that White has completely moved on from the matter, describing him as a strong character who wears the national team shirt with pride and gives full effort every time he plays.
Rice praised White’s mental strength for handling the negative reception at Wembley and performing well, adding that the squad never discusses the situation internally because everyone has moved forward. Rice also stated that White has an exciting future ahead with the England squad. Ahead of the fixture, White noted that the public does not know the full story behind his departure from Qatar, though he remains fully supportive of the decision he made.
Contract Extension With Arsenal
In addition to supporting his club and country team-mate, Rice confirmed that he is nearing an agreement on a new contract with Arsenal. BBC Sport initially reported on October 7 that the midfielder was lined up for a new long-term agreement at the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking ahead of England’s match against Spain, the 27-year-old expressed gratitude toward the club, stating that a new deal is hopefully approaching soon and noting his appreciation for the manager’s trust and the energy of his team-mates. Rice’s existing agreement runs until 2028, but the former West Ham United player is now set to prolong his stay in north London following his £105m transfer in 2023. The upcoming agreement will position him alongside Bukayo Saka as one of the club’s highest earners.
Reflecting on his career stability, Rice credited his consistency to avoiding major upheavals. He noted that he continually sets targets to push for more and considers himself fortunate not to have external concerns distracting him from his game.
