Gary Neville has hailed Arsenal star Ben White for proving him wrong and becoming an excellent right-back.
White has been a key part of Mikel Arteta ’s side, who still harbour hopes of winning a first Premier League title in 20 years going into the final few days of the season. The 26-year-old has been a near ever-present for the Gunners this season, contributing four goals and five assists in 50 appearances across all competitions.
Signed as a centre-back from Brighton for £50million in the summer of 2021, White ended up moving to right-back, with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba solidifying their partnership in the middle of defence. He has developed his game impressively and is now very comfortable attacking down the flanks, while also contributing to the best defence in the league, which has kept 18 clean sheets.
Neville played as a right-back during his career for Manchester United and England and has admitted he wasn’t convinced by White’s credentials initially. However, he has now changed his tune and named him in his Premier League team of the season for 2023/24.
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“I wasn’t sure about him, I’ll be honest,” Neville said on Monday Night Football. “Is he half a right-back and half a centre-back? That was my view, I wasn’t sure what he was.
“He’s developed into a really, really good right-back. I think of him now in the same quality this season, as [Branislav] Ivanovic and [Cesar] Azpilicueta for Chelsea for many years in that position. He deserves to be in [my team of the season].”
Jamie Carragher did not select White in his team of the season, opting for no full-back in an experimental line-up, but he and Neville both selected Saliba and Gabriel. “As a partnership, they have been together for two years but when you think of them this season, I think if this partnership stays together for the next three to four years, we are talking about this alongside [Rio] Ferdinand and [Nemanja] Vidic, [Ricardo] Carvalho and John Terry,” Carragher said.
Gary Neville has changed his opinion on Ben White (Sky Sports)HAVE YOUR SAY! Would Ben White make your team of the season? Comment below.
“They are the two who really standout, and I think those two will certainly go alongside one of the best centre-back partnerships we have seen in the Premier League.”
Neville added: “A lot has been spoken about Saliba, but Gabriel has been absolutely outstanding. There was something going on [at the start of the season]. Potential for him to leave but then Arsenal were not themselves. He tried different things but once Gabriel has come in and he’s been outstanding.”
Jamie Carragher’s Premier League team of the season (3-2-4-1): Jordan Pickford; William Saliba, Virgil van Dijk, Gabriel; Rodri, Declan Rice; Cole Palmer, Kevin de Bruyne, Martin Odegaard, Phil Foden; Ollie Watkins
Gary Neville’s Premier League team of the season (4-3-3): Emi Martinez; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Destiny Udogie; Martin Odegaard, Rodri, Declan Rice; Cole Palmer, Phil Foden; Erling Haaland
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