Trent Alexander-Arnold faces an uphill battle to make England’s World Cup squad – and it is due to his former Liverpool teammate.
That’s in line with Thomas Tuchel himself, who admitted Jarell Quansah is forward of the Actual Madrid defender in his pecking order.
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The irony will not be misplaced on Alexander-Arnold that he is behind a Liverpool academy graduate who performed right-back beneath Arne Slot final season earlier than sealing a summer season switch overseas.
Quansah, who naturally performs centrally, deputised for Reece James on his senior England debut in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Albania.
Why Quansah is forward of Trent beneath Tuchel
“I’ve lots of belief in Jarell,” stated England supervisor Tuchel. “I see his expertise, however I see the bundle. He’s tall, he’s quick, he’s sturdy in build-up. He’s sturdy within the air.
“I noticed him very sturdy taking part in for Liverpool on this place [right-back]. So I all the time wished to strive.
“And he performs each minute for [Bayer] Leverkusen because the Below-21 Euros. So he’s for the time being a tiny bit forward [of Alexander-Arnold].”
Quansah hasn’t even been the one Liverpool youth star to play right-back for Tuchel’s England, with Curtis Jones doing so in June.
It signifies that Alexander-Arnold may discover himself far down the pecking order, with Reece James firmly established as first-choice.
talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham even warned the 27-year-old that he could by no means get again into the beginning XI following Chelsea captain James’ spectacular performances towards Andorra and Serbia in September.
Alexander-Arnold was once more disregarded of Tuchel’s squad totally, and has now performed only one match for his nation since October final yr.
Durham believes that development may proceed except James picks up an damage or Alexander-Arnold raises his recreation within the Spanish capital.
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Who needs to be England’s beginning right-back?
Assessing James’ kind for the nationwide crew, he informed Hawksbee & Jacobs: “He is so good when he is match and we’re simply hoping he stays match as a result of this could possibly be the tip of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s worldwide profession.
“When you consider it, Reece James stays match, does Trent get again in? In all probability not, nearly as good as he’s.
“He is acquired to have an actual good run at Actual Madrid and produce at Actual Madrid to even get again within the England squad.
“So Reece James staying match is essential for England to function at full pelt in that right-back place. I believe he is been wonderful on this camp.”
James performed a key function in England changing into the primary European nation to ebook their World Cup spot final month.
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James was rested as England accomplished the right qualifying marketing campaign in Albania, with their eight straight wins with out conceding.
As for the Blues defender, who made 74 appearances for the membership beneath Tuchel, he’s now the Three Lions’ first-choice at right-back.
His most up-to-date cap this month has taken his tally to 22 since making his debut beneath Gareth Southgate in 2020.
Nonetheless, James has up to now solely featured at one main worldwide event, the delayed Euros a yr after his debut.
The 25-year-old’s damage woes noticed him miss each the 2022 World Cup in addition to final summer season’s Euros in Germany.
In the meantime, Alexander-Arnold is a veteran of the final two World Cups in addition to Euro 2024.
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In distinction, although, he missed Euro 2020 by means of damage as James performed as soon as throughout England’s run to the ultimate.
The previous Liverpool man shall be hoping to drive his manner into Tuchel’s plans forward of the subsequent worldwide camp in March.
