Thomas Tuchel has told Trent Alexander-Arnold he must bring defensive solidity to the England squad after giving him a surprise recall for the upcoming Nations League matches. The head coach has selected the Real Madrid right-back only once before – for the games against Andorra and Senegal in June last year. Tuchel made headlines when he did so by urging Alexander-Arnold to focus on the defensive side of his game or risk a slip that could undermine the team’s World Cup campaign.
Tuchel used him as a 64th-minute substitute against Andorra and Alexander-Arnold was out of the picture by the time England went to North America for the tournament. He is now back, despite starting only three of Madrid’s seven matches this season and largely going under the radar with his performances. Tuchel’s message to him has not changed.
The head coach has previously said he has Tino Livramento and Jarell Quansah ahead of Alexander-Arnold in the right-back pecking order. He has named both of them in the squad for the games against Spain (home), Czechia (home and away) and Croatia (away). Tuchel has been unable to include his first-choice right-back, Reece James, or Djed Spence, who can operate in either full-back position, because of injuries.
Ben White is also injured; Tuchel said he would have considered him. The centre-half Ezri Konsa, who is in the squad, has played at right-back. Tuchel said he had spoken to Alexander-Arnold to tell him he would not go to the World Cup but had not called him this time.
I know what he is capable of. I know what he is saying: that he is desperate to play for England and he will fight for his shirt. It’s a long camp and it’s a good moment to show up.
It’s a chance for Trent to claim what he feels is his – his place on the right side. So here we go.” Alexander-Arnold was the headline selection on a day when Tuchel gave further recalls to Jarrad Branthwaite, Lewis Hall, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Alex Scott, Cole Palmer and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He also included Rio Ngumoha.
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