EFL pundit believes Leeds United star is already on international radar

EFL PUNDIT Jobi McAnuff believes Leeds United's Brighton loanee Ben White will already be on Gareth Southgate's England radar.
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Centre-back White has excelled since joining Leeds on a season-long loan last summer with the 22-year-old having played every minute of every league game so far.

White's efforts have helped Championship front-runners Leeds to the best defensive record in the division with United having conceded just 30 goals in 37 games.

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England boss Southgate has already been keeping a close eye on one Whites star with Kalvin Phillips thought to be heading for a first international call up for March's friendlies against Italy and Denmark until the games were postponed due to the global fight against coronavirus.

COMPOSED: Leeds United's Brighton loanee centre-back Ben White challenges Fulham's Josh Onomah in December's Championship clash at Craven Cottage. Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images.COMPOSED: Leeds United's Brighton loanee centre-back Ben White challenges Fulham's Josh Onomah in December's Championship clash at Craven Cottage. Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images.
COMPOSED: Leeds United's Brighton loanee centre-back Ben White challenges Fulham's Josh Onomah in December's Championship clash at Craven Cottage. Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images.

Southgate sat in the Elland Road stands for January's clash against Sheffield Wednesday and former midfielder McAnuff is certain White too will already be prominent in Southgate's thinking for a Three Lions call with McAnuff sure the defender will excel in the country's top division.

"I'll be absolutely amazed if he's not at least on the radar," said McAnuff about White's England prospects, speaking in an EFL Podcast.

"I think with the way that Gareth Southgate wants England to play now and the fact that he's massive on bringing the younger players through, I'm absolutely certain he will be keeping tabs on him.

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"It's a good group of young centre halves he's got at the moment for England and White's clearly come into a real tough environment to play and at such a big club under the pressure that they're under to perform as well and he's performed really well.

"He's played every game, they've got the best defensive record in the league, he shows a maturity way beyond his 22 years and so much composure on the ball.

"He steps out into midfield to overload that area sometimes when teams sit back against them and for me he's got a massive future again once this season is done, whatever happens.

"He'll be hoping obviously that Leeds get promoted.

"There is an option of course for him to be recalled to his parent club Brighton and I'd love to see him in the Premier League at some point and I'm sure he'll acquit himself really well.

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"When he does I think that's when you are going to be really looking at the England shout."

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