Thomas Tuchel has repeatedly explained his decision to omit Trent Alexander-Arnold from the England squad, with the Real Madrid full-back also missing out on a World Cup call-up after Tino Livramento sustained an injury
11:40, 17 Jun 2026Updated 11:48, 17 Jun 2026
Thomas Tuchel has left out Trent Alexander-Arnold again
Thomas Tuchel has left out Trent Alexander-Arnold again(Image: Getty Images)
Ex-Liverpool vice captain Trent Alexander-Arnold's prospects with England appear uncertain under Thomas Tuchel's management.
After being omitted from Tuchel's 26-man squad, a potential late World Cup call-up emerged for Alexander-Arnold when Tino Livramento sustained a tournament-ending calf injury.
But rather than bringing in the seasoned Real Madrid full-back, Tuchel opted for center-back Trevoh Chalobah from the standby list. The German coach explained: "We called Trevoh Chalobah because then we free up Jarell Quansah as full-back on both sides and Djed Spence can play both sides as full-back, so Trevoh comes as a center-back alternative and gives us full coverage in the back four."
It marked another setback in a difficult 12 months for the 27-year-old, whose debut campaign in Madrid proved challenging after his move from Liverpool.
Unsurprisingly, Tuchel has faced repeated questions about his reasoning for consistently leaving out one of England's most prominent players. He has provided measured comments about the player while clarifying why he hasn't featured in his thinking.
After excluding him from the March friendlies, Tuchel remarked: "I think it's a very hard decision that we took. No doubt about his talent, no doubt about his career and what he can give to teams.
Alexander-Arnold won't play at this year's World Cup
Alexander-Arnold won't play at this year's World Cup(Image: Getty Images)
"We created a slightly different game model when he was not in camp in September, October, November [because of injury]. It was a game model built on intensity, built on positivity, built even in the profile of the right full-back on overlaps on underlaps, very intense.
"So it was a slightly different profile of players who were with us in camp and who performed so well. It is a very hard decision."
Addressing Alexander-Arnold's response to his earlier omission, Tuchel commented: "We had a call. I tried to explain the situation but Trent just has to accept it.
"I know that it creates noise when you leave a player like Trent out. It's a sportive choice and a difficult choice. Maybe it's unfair to a certain degree, but these choices have to be made."
It is evident that Tuchel harbors reservations regarding Alexander-Arnold's defensive abilities. Back in August, following his exclusion from the qualifying fixtures against Andorra and Serbia, Tuchel remarked: "If he wants to have this impact in the English national team, then he has to take the defensive part very, very seriously.
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"Because when we are talking, especially about qualifying football, and then tournament football, the one defensive error, the one moment where you are not 100 percent awake, can be decisive. It can be the moment where you pack your suitcases and go home."
There were practical considerations behind Chalobah's selection, given that the Chelsea defender was already stateside. Squads are permitted to call up an injury replacement up until 24 hours before their opening match.
Sky Sports reported that FA chiefs were unaware of Alexander-Arnold's location, prompting doubts over whether he could reach the squad's Kansas City training camp in time. It would appear he now faces a considerably lengthier road back into the England set-up while Tuchel remains at the helm.