Former Premier League winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has gone viral for suggesting that Arsenal recruiting Ben White is a better signing that Manchester United landing Raphael Varane.
The ex-England international made the claim whilst on talkSPORT in a Soccer Saturday Super 6 podcast, insisting that he ‘personally’ feels that White will fare better than the experienced Frenchman.
Wright-Phillips also stated that he would prefer to sign 23-year-old White to Varane.
The Gunners have recruited White in a deal worth £50m, per BBC Sport, whilst the Red Devils have agreed an initial fee of £34m for Varane, in a deal worth up to £42m, also per the BBC.
Arsenal have confirmed the recruitment of White and fielded the defender in pre-season, whilst United are expected to announce the signature of Varane very soon, according to insider Fabrizio Romano.
Feel sorry for Varane…a player which never had pressure before playing for Real Madrid and France winning Champions League 4 times and the World Cup….coming to England will make him SO nervous… https://t.co/145Cm4BNEl
— Jan Aage Fjortoft ???? ?? (@JanAageFjortoft) August 11, 2021
Wright-Phillips is convinced that White is exactly what the Gunners are missing:
“Which is one thing that I thought Arsenal missed, a defender like him (White), he’s got an old school mentality but can play football as well.”
Wright-Phillips was then asked if he thought the England defender would fare better than Varane:
“Yes, I personally do.”
“I know it’s a big statement, but he’s (White) used to the Premier League and he’s used to defending a lot for Brighton – week in, week out.”
“Varane’s coming into a whole new league and he’s going to be put under immense pressure.”
Wright-Phillips was then asked who he’d rather sign:
“At this moment, I would definitely say Ben White.”
Whilst there’s every chance that White could prove to be a better signing for Arsenal than the imminent addition of Varane at United, Wright-Phillips’ claims certainly come as a shock.
It’s not often that a serial winner like Varane, who is just 28 years old, is overlooked in favour of a younger talent like White.
At the end of the day, a judgement can only really be made when we look back years from now.