Ben White delivers two-word Instagram message to former Leeds teammate
Ben White has taken to Instagram to congratulate Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips on his England call-up.
The 24-year-old was given the nod by Gareth Southgate on Tuesday afternoon, and is now in line to make his senior debut for the Three Lions next month when his side face off against Iceland and Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.
And White, who played alongside Phillips during his loan spell at Elland Road last season, was quick to acknowledge his achievement on social media.
Writing on his own personal Instagram account, White shared a photo of himself and Phillips celebrating their promotion to the Premier League last month alongside the caption: “Yeah yeah”.
This is a little bit bittersweet, truth be told.
On the one hand, any and everybody associated with Leeds United is going to be absolutely over the moon for Phillips, who has worked so hard and done so well to get himself into the position he is in today.
On the other, any kind of interaction like this only serves to remind us all that Ben White is not a Leeds player anymore.
It’s quite clear to even the most casual observer that he loved his time at Elland Road, and that he built a number of really strong relationships during his 12 months in Yorkshire.
To be denied the opportunity to continue in his development under Marcelo Bielsa feels cruel, especially when he’s evidently so well-engrained into the Leeds dressing room.
The only other caveat you would add to this is that White himself could be getting a similar call from Southgate soon if he plays his cards right.
The manager has already mentioned him as a player who has caught his eye, and provided he gets the game time next season – preferably with us – then he has England international written all over him.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites want to sign this EFL forward.