It’s looking increasingly likely that Trent Alexander-Arnold won’t be in England’s squad for the World Cup.
‘What’s wrong with that?’ you might ask.
Nothing much. Thomas Tuchel has plenty of good options in his place, but his exclusion would mark another sad moment on the international stage for one of the country’s most talented players.
England managers have never quite known what to do with Trent, with his tendency to switch off defensively seen as too great a risk for such high stakes.
Sir Gareth Southgate tried to turn him into a holding midfielder at Euro 2024. Lee Carsley experimented with him as a left back given freedom to roam inside. Tuchel opted to start former Liverpool teammate (and midfielder) Curtis Jones in the right back position ahead of him against Andorra last summer.
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Whatever way you look at it, his England career so far has been a bit of a failure – in the most successful period for the men’s national team at major tournaments since 1966, Trent was on the pitch less than 10% of the time, and is now facing the prospect of not even making the bench.
What do you think is the best position for Trent Alexander-Arnold in the England team?
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Right Back
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Midfielder
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Left Back
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None – he should not be included in the squad
Why has Trent Alexander-Arnold been left out of England squads?
Injuries and a lack of form have been an issue this season but over the course of his international career it feels like Trent has been a victim of circumstances, with his rise as a unique talent in football coinciding with Southgate’s risk-averse time in charge.
There’s a certain irony to the fact that what many people felt England missed in recent tournaments was a creative edge, but at the same time their ability to get to the latter stages was down to not having that creative edge. If only we could have our cake and eat it too.
The idea that Trent isn’t good enough defensively to play at right back has always been a bit ridiculous – this is a man who won literally everything with Liverpool while playing… you guessed it, at right back.
Yes, the mistakes can be crucial, but to not even have his creativity as an option off the bench when trying to break down Panama’s defence in June seems like an oversight.
There’s still a chance he will make the final squad, especially if Reece James picks up one of his regular knocks.
Tuchel hasn’t entirely ruled out his chances, but when centre backs like Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa are being spoken about as options, the Real Madrid man will probably be safe in booking a non-refundable holiday this summer.
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