Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Chelsea’s Reece James are two of the most talented right-backs of their generation, but both are still yet to show their very best on the international stage with England.
Chelsea star Reece James, 25, has proven over the years he’s an outstanding defender. He even captains his boyhood club after coming through the Blues academy.
Unfortunately, his poor luck with injuries in the past couple of years means his international career has never really taken off.
On Monday night, James earned his 20th senior cap for England in the 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Latvia. James scored a magical free-kick at Wembley Stadium to chalk up his first England goal.
As for Trent Alexander-Arnold, he’s had a bit more game time by registering 33 senior England caps. The 26-year-old full-back has missed March’s international break due to injury, though.
Player National team Debut Age at debut
Reece James England 8 October, 2020 20 years 10 months 00 days
Trent Alexander-Arnold England 7 June, 2018 19 years 08 months 00 days
The comparison between Alexander-Arnold and James has been a popular topic for football fans to debate over the years. But the reality is that both were down the right-back pecking order under former England boss Gareth Southgate because of his loyalty to Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier.
However, we suspect that things will be different under current Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel.
Photo by Neil Hall - Pool/Getty Images
Photo by Neil Hall – Pool/Getty Images
Trent Alexander-Arnold raved about right-back rival Reece James in 2020
Speaking back in November 2020, Alexander-Arnold spoke very highly about England teammate James despite the obvious competition between the pair at international level.
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Alexander-Arnold said via The Evening Standard a few years ago: “I remember him (James) always being good for Chelsea youth teams, remember watching him in the Youth Cup. Chelsea is probably the hardest team to break into as a local lad and as a young English player. For him to be able to do that is a statement itself.
“He has shown since he came in over the last year or so that he is a good player, solid defensively and good going forward. He is an all-round right-back and probably up there with some of the best in the League. He is still young and has a lot to learn but as for his talent and potential he is a very good player.
“Competition for places is always exciting. It is always something that helps me, I think helps a lot of players get better. I think right-back is the most populated position for England, there are a lot of really good players going for one position so it is always going to cause headaches for the manager.”
If both are fully fit, we’re intrigued to see which one Tuchel prefers to start in the best XI.
The club form of both will surely play a big role in what happens in the build up to the 2026 World Cup. Even though Alexander-Arnold looks primed to win his second Premier League title with Liverpool this season, he’s out of contract in the summer and heavily linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid as a free agent.
Madrid have shown interest in Chelsea’s James in recent months, but he’s currently on a contract that doesn’t expire until 2028.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports claims that Madrid are making progress in their discussions to sign Alexander-Arnold this summer.
Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Reece James
It feels like a straight shootout between Alexander-Arnold and James for England’s starting right-back spot moving forward. Alternatively, Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento is somebody to watch out for as well.
Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier, both aged 34, surely can’t be the future of the national side. Even though Walker was in Tuchel’s first-ever England squad, he recent left Manchester City to join AC Milan. As for Trippier, he’s retired from international football.
Let’s take a look at how James and Alexander-Arnold compare in their respective club careers so far:
Appearances Goals Assists Trophies
172 13 23 3
Reece James record for Chelsea
Appearances Goals Assists Trophies
349 22 87 8
Trent Alexander-Arnold record for Liverpool
In fairness, Alexander-Arnold has the edge over James in their club careers so far. Chelsea supporters will be right to point towards their man’s injury issues, but availability in itself is an important strength.
The one thing in James’ favour is his relationship with Tuchel because of their time together in West London, so getting off to a good start this month must do his chances of playing more regularly no harm.