Trent Alexander-Arnold has been dropped by England boss Thomas Tuchel for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers but the likes of Adam Wharton and Djed Spence have earned a call-up. The Three Lions face Andorra at Villa Park on September 6 before travelling to Serbia on September 9, and Tuchel has taken a brave call by omitting the star right-back.
Tuchel axes Alexander-ArnoldMadrid star struggling for game timeWharton & Spence in squad while Rashford recalledFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
For Alexander-Arnold, who swapped Liverpool red for Real Madrid’s white this summer, the news comes as a bitter blow. Just months after making the bold leap to La Liga, he now faces questions over both his club status and his international future. He started Madrid’s opening fixture of the season, only to be withdrawn after 68 minutes. In the following game, he didn’t make the starting line-up, but was introduced from the bench in the second half during a 3-0 win over Oveido.
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Tuchel’s decision is no sudden knee-jerk. Back in June, when England faced Andorra and Senegal, the manager had already voiced concern about Alexander-Arnold’s defensive reliability.
"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 said. "This major impact that he had for Liverpool over so many years… 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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Jack Grealish, who swapped Manchester City for Everton in the summer, also failed to make the cut despite providing for two goals in the Toffees' 2-0 win over Brighton. However, Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and Tottenham full-back Spence have been rewarded for their consistency with a maiden call-up. Marcus Rashford has also earned a recall, with Cole Palmer sidelined with an injury.
FULL ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Dean Henderson
Defenders: Reece James, Marc Guehi, John Stones, Dan Burn, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jordan Henderson, Adam Wharton, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice
Forwards: Harry Kane, Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins