Albion legend Bobby Zamora believes Ben White is a future England international.
White, 23, didn’t make the 26-man England squad named by Gareth Southgate for the Euros which was announced yesterday after receiving his first call-up last week.
But the 23-year-old has been placed on standby and could be involved in England’s pre-tournament friendlies against Austria tonight and Romania on Sunday.
And it won’t come as a surprise to Zamora, who won two England caps a decade ago.
“I remember Ben when I was at Brighton my second time round at the club,” said Zamora. “Ben was a young lad who would come up and train with us. He had confidence and a little bit of an arrogance about him. Not too much, just from playing with the pros and not shying away. That goes a long way and you can see that now with how he is on the ball.
“I think he’s had a fantastic season this year. He’s looks a really good talent.
“I watched the last game at Brighton against Manchester City. He was up against Phil Foden, who has arguably been player of the season.
“There were maybe one or two occasions when Phil got past him but for everything else Ben never gave him a second. I thought his was a fantastic performance individually against one of the best players in the league.
“He has a very bright future, and I can see him wearing an England jersey in the future.”
Zamora also feels that one of his former team-mates Lewis Dunk is unfortunate to have only won one England cap so far.
“Dunky doesn’t get the recognition and credit he deserves. Brighton’s defensive record has been fantastic, outside the top six. Dunky is key to that. I’ve played and trained with him and I know what a good defender he is.”
Bobby is working Brighton-based mental health charity Strong Men, which supports men through grief and is running a campaign called #BAREYOURSELF to encourage sufferers to open up.
He added, “I don’t know why it’s so hard for men to talk, when Strong Men asked me to get involved I thought it was something I wanted to share to help even one person get the support they need. If my followers can share a photo and nominate their friends then hopefully we can reach all of these men that feel it’s unmanly to talk”
1 in 3 of all UK men find it difficult to show their emotions. Men find it harder to talk about their feelings and worries for a range of reasons, including embarrassment and feeling less like a man. Grief can trigger and exacerbate mental health conditions. Failure to deal with these emotions can be life threatening.
Share a tasteful photo/selfie of part of your body you wouldn’t normally have the confidence to show and help @StrongMenOrgUk to support men suffering through grief. Text STRONG to 70085 to donate £5 and nominate 5 male friends to take on the challenge. #BareYourself, it is never unmanly to talk.
You can create your own #BareYourself sign or download at: www.strongmen.org.uk/campaigns/bare-yourself/