Marcelo Bielsa sends message to Ben White after England fans boo Arsenal star | Football

Marcelo Bielsa has praised Ben White in the wake of the Arsenal star’s international return being overshadowed by the boos he was subjected by England fans.

The former Brighton defender endured the rare ignominy of receiving stick from the Wembley crowd after putting England 1-0 up.

White was making his first England appearance since he walked out of the 2022 World Cup squad due to ‘personal reasons’ and then made himself unavailable for selection for the remainder of Sir Gareth Southgate’s reign.

Thomas Tuchel wanted to give him a ‘second chance’ and White enjoyed an eventful 25 minutes on the pitch.

He was jeered as he came on to replace Fikayo Tomori, then booed again as he opened the scoring, before giving away a late penalty which allowed Federico Valverde to earn Uruguay a draw.

Bielsa played a huge role in the early part of White’s career when the pair spent a season together at Leeds United when the Yorkshite club won promotion to the Premier League.

No coach of Uruguay, the veteran coach has kept a keen eye on the versatile defender’s career and is delighted to see him thriving again on the international sate.

Speaking in his post match press conference, he said: ‘Obviously I’ve known him for a very long time. I was just very happy to see him and I’m very happy to see how he has developed in his career.

‘I saw him as he was sitting there and it was an opportunity to see him and say hello.’

White, meanwhile, also received the support of Three Lions teammate Jordan Henderson who knows how it feels to receive the ire of the Wembley crowd, after he was booed following his ill-fated move to Saudi Arabia.

The midfielder said: ‘As team-mates we are always there to support. A lot of the fans will be in support of all of the players.

‘I have been through it myself, but that is part and parcel of being an England player.

‘Some of the fans probably don’t even know why they are booing, they listen to what is being said in the media, and a lot of the time what the media says isn’t true.

‘Not many people know the ins and outs of what happened in Qatar and it is for us to deal with internally.

‘Ben has been good since he came back in and we will support him as team-mates.

‘A few of us have been there, it is difficult when it is you, but you have to try not to take it too personally, the media can spin things in certain ways, which isn’t always the truth and then fans can pick up on that and think it is the truth.

‘It is really difficult when that happens, so it is important for us to make sure he is OK, which I am sure he is. I was delighted he got on and got a goal, which is the most important thing.’

MORE: Enzo Maresca’s £60m Chelsea signing tipped for shock Arsenal transfer

MORE: Spain manager claims ‘world class’ Arsenal star is being overlooked in World Cup debate

MORE: Noni Madueke injury latest as Arsenal winger wears knee brace after England friendly