Trent Alexander-Arnold has been unable to claim an England spot following his move to Real Madrid and is running out of time with the World Cup looming at the end of the season
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been unable to break into Thomas Tuchel's plans(Image: Gokhan Taner/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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Former England captain Stuart Pearce believes Trent Alexander-Arnold's chances of being named in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad are all but over. The Real Madrid full-back was not included in the German manager's selection for the March international break.
Alexander-Arnold has endured a difficult debut season in the Spanish capital, dealing with injury, and Tuchel said that the creative option has to accept his decision to leave him out for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. "I know that it creates noise when you leave a player like Trent out," Tuchel said.
"We had a call. I tried to explain the situation but he just has to accept it."
Even as the Three Lions saw players withdraw, Alexander-Arnold could only watch on as England exile Ben White returned to the fold to be offered an opportunity. The Arsenal defender featured as Tuchel's side drew at Wembley on Friday.
Ex-Newcastle and Nottingham Forest star Pearce does not believe that Tuchel ever wanted to utilise the 34-cap international. Pearce reckons that Alexander-Arnold being overlooked for White is a telling moment.
He told Betway : “It’s a real blow for him. I don’t think he’s played consistently enough this season at Madrid, and I don’t think Thomas Tuchel fancied him from the outset, if I’m being honest.
“I also think the fact that he’s brought Ben White into the squad when we’ve had an injury in that position probably tells you everything about his chances of getting in this summer and maybe beyond this summer as well. But that’s life as a footballer in many way, and that was always a worry for me whenever a new manager came in.
"But if you’ve still got a burning ambition to play for your country, he’s got to do good things. If you’re doing good things for Real Madrid, you’re certainly on the radar well and truly. So it’s down to him to fight for a place, whether it be this summer, which I don’t think it will be, or beyond.”
Ben White is back in the England fold after being recalled by Thomas Tuchel
Ben White is back in the England fold after being recalled by Thomas Tuchel
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Tuchel also explained his reasoning for selecting White over Alexander-Arnold, and his words would not have been reassuring for the former Liverpool star.
"Just a choice," Tuchel explained. "A sportive choice and a difficult choice and maybe a hard choice. Maybe to a certain degree unfair but these choices have to be made.
"The choice was for Ben White because I saw him play here in the cup final against Man City. He played the Champions League match before and was straight away back to his old self.
"It was a chance for me to meet him in person, see how he interacts with the group. I think I know what Trent gives us so the choice was for Ben and for Tino Livramento on the right side.
"To stick with the guys who actually had the good camps with us in September, October, November. They also need the minutes, there are a lot of players in this position - Djed Spence as well - who fight for a ticket. I didn't want to leave them out."
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