Salah, Gusto and Other Premier League Stars Overlooked for National Team Invitations

• Arsenal star Ben White rejected England's national team call-up
• Mohamed Salah was left out of the Egypt national team squad
• Chelsea star Malo Gusto is a surprise omission for France

Arsenal star Ben White is probably the most talked about international player after he turned down England's national team call-up for the March friendlies against Belgium and Brazil.

Gareth Southgate confirmed it was the player's decision not to be included and communicated it through Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar last week.

The manager claimed he would have been included if he had not wanted to be left out, but some other Premier League stars have been omitted, and it raised questions.

Sports Brief looks at the top six players omitted from the national team in March.

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PL stars omitted from national teams

1. Mohamed Salah

The Liverpool winger injured his hamstring at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. He has only recently returned to full fitness and completed his first 90 minutes in the 6-1 win over Sparta Praha. Per The Athletic, he was left out of the Egypt squad for March's friendlies at the request of the Merseyside club.

2. Malo Gusto

The French right-back has been sensational for Chelsea in his first season, deputising brilliantly in place of injured captain Reece James. Didier Deschamps left him out of Les Bleus' squad, but Thierry Henry drafted him to the U21 team.

3. Axel Disasi

Disasi has been ever-present for Chelsea this season and is the only player to be available for selection for all games. He has been the defence's leader in the absence of Thiago Silva. He and Gusto were called up in October due to injuries to Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamechano.

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4. Ross Barkley

Southgate overlooked the former Chelsea man despite his form for Luton Town this season. Many fans have claimed he deserved a call-up ahead of Jordan Henderson, who was in Saudi Arabia and returned to Europe with Ajax in January.

5. Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling has yet to feature for England since the end of the 2022 World Cup. Per Goal, Southgate claimed he did not want to alter the team's momentum, so he was left out in November, but the door remains open for him.

6. Dominic Solanke

His omission isn't surprising as he had not featured for the Three Lions since 2017 after a 15-minute debut against Brazil. Solanke has scored 15 league goals this year but was overlooked for Ivan Toney, who returned to action in January after an eight-month betting ban.

Players who declined national team calls

Sports Brief reported on five players who declined national team call-ups after White rejected England's call-up for the March international friendlies, as confirmed by the manager.

The Arsenal star was not the first to decline the Three Lions. During his days at Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham he asked to be left out during a break.