Thomas Tuchel discusses England’s comeback with Ben White, while Kevin De Bruyne agrees to a new position at Manchester City – Paper Round.

**Tuchel Reaches Out to White Over England Return**

In a significant development for both Arsenal and the England national team, Thomas Tuchel has reportedly reached out to Ben White regarding a potential return to international duty. The Arsenal defender has not donned the Three Lions jersey since March 2022, having ruled himself out of contention for the Euros last year under Gareth Southgate.

With the new England manager keen to bolster his squad ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Tuchel’s contact with White could pave the way for the full-back’s return. England is set to face Albania on March 21, followed by a clash with Latvia on March 24.

Tuchel, who has been busy attending over 20 live matches across Europe in his first seven weeks in charge, has made it a priority to engage with players, including White, either in person or via video calls. Speaking at the 2026 World Cup draw in December, Tuchel had indicated his intention to reach out to White, and it appears that conversation has now taken place.

However, the details of their discussion remain under wraps, as does the question of whether Arsenal would permit White to join the national team, especially after his recent return from a three-month layoff due to knee surgery.

**De Bruyne Faces Uncertain Future at City**

In another intriguing story, Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has acknowledged that he may have to accept a reduced role at the club next season. With Pep Guardiola weighing his options, the future of the Belgian international remains uncertain as his current contract nears its expiration in the summer.

At 33 years of age, de Bruyne has seen his playing time dwindle this season, starting less than half of City’s Premier League matches. The relentless demands of Guardiola’s system, coupled with a series of injuries in recent years, have taken their toll on the playmaker.

In a recent match against Liverpool, de Bruyne was surprisingly handed a starting position but failed to make a significant impact. This led to his substitution for the less experienced James McAtee in the 66th minute—a moment that could signal a shift in the pecking order at the Etihad.

**Leverkusen Eye McAtee as Wirtz Negotiations Heat Up**

Bayer Leverkusen have set their sights on Manchester City midfielder James McAtee as their primary target this summer, particularly as discussions surrounding Florian Wirtz’s potential move to City intensify. The German champions had previously approached City for the 22-year-old in January, but their advances were rebuffed.

With City also pursuing Wirtz, Leverkusen are keen to secure McAtee as part of any negotiations. The young midfielder is highly regarded by Guardiola, having been the first substitute called upon in recent high-stakes matches against Real Madrid and Liverpool.

McAtee, who has just one year left on his contract, is eager to secure a regular spot in City’s first team. However, with fierce competition in the attacking midfield positions, he may find opportunities limited. The prospect of regular first-team football could be a significant draw for McAtee, especially with the potential departures of Jack Grealish and Kevin de Bruyne this summer.

**Leicester Stand by Van Nistelrooy Amidst Struggles**

In a show of support, Leicester City continue to back head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy despite a dismal run of form that has seen the Foxes suffer 10 defeats in their last 11 Premier League outings. In a bid to turn their fortunes around, Van Nistelrooy has made the decision to part ways with two members of his backroom staff.

Currently languishing in 19th place in the table, Leicester’s struggles have been compounded by a six-match home streak without a goal, resulting in six consecutive losses.

As the team prepares for a crucial fortnight with fixtures against West Ham and Chelsea, Van Nistelrooy has taken decisive action by dismissing first-team coaches Ben Dawson and Danny Alcock, who were both brought in under former manager Steve Cooper.

The only new appointments made by Van Nistelrooy since his arrival in November are Jelle ten Rouwelaar, a former goalkeeping coach at Manchester United, and Brian Barry-Murphy from Manchester City. The pressure is on as the Foxes look to revive their season and climb out of the relegation zone.

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