TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD MAKES ENGLAND STANCE CLEAR — REAL MADRID STAR SENDS MESSAGE TO THOMAS TUCHEL AHEAD OF SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT
Trent Alexander-Arnold has made his England position crystal clear ahead of Thomas Tuchel’s first squad announcement of the new season.
The Real Madrid defender remains available for selection despite being left out of England’s World Cup squad last summer and enduring a difficult start to life in Spain.
The first Three Lions squad of the season is due to be announced today, Friday, September 18, with England preparing for the Nations League later this month.
Alexander-Arnold, 27, has yet to establish himself at the Santiago Bernabeu. He has started just one league game this season under new manager Jose Mourinho, who has seemingly preferred Netherlands international Denzel Dumfries at right-back.
But his uncertain club situation has not changed his commitment to England.
Speaking to the Mirror in August, the former Liverpool star delivered a firm message about his international future.
“Until I retire, I’m still an England player, whether I’m selected or not. I’m always available if and when the manager needs me. There’s no bigger honour.”
Alexander-Arnold also admitted he was surprised and deeply disappointed to miss out on England’s World Cup squad.
“I’ll be honest, I was full of hope. When I put the phone down, I was properly gutted.”
He added that he hoped the coaching staff would understand that he was angry about the decision.
TUCHEL’S WARNING STILL HANGS OVER TRENT
While Alexander-Arnold has made clear that he wants to remain available, Tuchel has previously identified the area he believes the defender must improve.
The England boss warned that Alexander-Arnold’s defensive lapses could prove costly in qualifying and tournament football, urging him to place greater emphasis on his defensive discipline.
“I can see that sometimes he relies heavily on his offensive contributions, and gives not so much emphasis on the defensive discipline and effort.”
Tuchel acknowledged the enormous impact Alexander-Arnold had made for Liverpool but stressed that he would need to take the defensive side of his game seriously if he wanted to have the same influence with England.
“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 per cent awake, can be decisive, can be the moment where you pack your suitcases and go home.”
With England’s latest squad now set to be revealed, Alexander-Arnold’s message has remained unchanged: selection may be uncertain, but his willingness to represent his country is not.
The question now is whether his form at Real Madrid and the defensive concerns highlighted by Tuchel will be enough to keep him waiting for another England opportunity.
