Thomas Tuchel says he hopes Ben White’s performance on his return to England duty will win the fans over after the Arsenal man was booed against Uruguay on Friday night.
The 28-year-old came off the bench in the second half to make his first international appearance since leaving midway through the 2022 World Cup.
It was almost a dream night for White as he broke the deadlock with ten minutes remaining of a drab contest at Wembley Stadium.
But the defender was punished for a seemingly innocuous challenge in the box, with the referee pointing to the spot after going to the pitchside monitor. Fede Valverde converted the penalty in stoppage time to deny the Three Lions victory.
“It was not a penalty,” Tuchel told ITV. “To sum it up I think our goal was also a block, tough block from (Adam) Wharton, but they checked it and gave it.
“Absolutely okay with the performance. We tried and tried and were the better team overall.
“We had some big chances from set-pieces. We were forced into changes. We had a lot of new players and changed a lot of new players and for all of that I am grateful for the test.
“I have to review it, I liked how we played. We knew it was a difficult opponent. Marcelo Bielsa told me months ago he would arrive with his best team. Everyone did good. I liked a lot of stuff today.”
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Tuchel reacts to boos aimed at Ben White on England return
On White’s performance, Tuchel added: “It was too good to be true when he scored the winner which in the end was not a winner. In the end he was perhaps too greedy in his defensive actions but it was not a penalty.”
White was booed by sections of the England supporters when he was subbed on and eve after finding the net, but Tuchel believes his goal might help change views on him.
“I hope so. This happened before to some players here which is disappointing because I don’t think it helps anyone. There was a mixed reaction.”
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