Brighton & Hove Albion skipper Lewis Dunk is tipping former Leeds United loanee Ben White to soon pull on an England shirt.
White enjoyed an outstanding 2019/20 campaign on loan at Elland Road, playing a key role in helping Leeds secure their long-awaited return to the Premier League, as they scooped the Championship title.
Having never played at Championship level before, White arrived at Elland Road as unknown quantity, with few people associated with the Whites having never heard of him.
A little over a year on after arriving in West Yorkshire on loan from Brighton for the season, White is now being linked with big-money moves to the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, highlighting just how much potential he has in his locker.
Leeds are desperate to lure him back to Elland Road this summer, but the Whites are facing a battle to get a deal over the line because of Brighton's demands.
At this moment in time, though Leeds are keen to re-sign him, it appears as though his future lies at the Amex Stadium, with him no doubt targeting a regular starting berth alongside Seagulls skipper Dunk.
Although Dunk and White have not yet played alongside each other, the defender, who recently signed a new contract with the Seagulls, is confident that both White and fellow defender Adam Webster have the necessary qualities to one day play for England if they continue to perform to the standards they have set in recent months.
“I made my debut at 27, so they’ve got a few years on me to get into the squad and they’re playing in the Premier League,” Dunk told Brighton's club website.
“I was only in the Championship at their age. If they carry on the way they are they can play for England too. I will be buzzing to see that happen because they are both top boys and top players.”
On White specifically, Dunk continued: “You can see it in training every day, we know how good Ben is. He has shown it in the lower leagues, and he has shown it in the second-best league in the country.
“Last season when Saturday evening came around, it seemed to be the Ben White show every week.
“All credit to him for going out and working so hard and doing well. Hopefully, he can bring that form back to Brighton and help us.
“I am buzzing for him. He is a top boy, a good kid to be around and it’s great to have him in the dressing room. We want to see him kick on here.”
