After much debate, Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has finally been selected in the 26-man squad for the Euros meaning England will go into the tournament with as many as four right-backs.
On Tuesday morning there were multiple reports claiming that Trent Alexander-Arnold was going to be excluded from the England roster based on his average performances this season. But in the end, the Liverpool man has not missed out.
Speaking to the press after the announcement of the 26-man squad, Gareth Southgate chose to clear the air about his selection process, claiming that TAA’s spot was never in doubt, despite the media reports.
“I spoke to Trent three weeks ago. There were stories over the last couple of weeks with lots of strange headlines, I have no idea where they have come from,” the manager told his press conference (via Goal).
“I felt that there were stories that ran that were so far off the truth. I read stories about me that aren’t true but when it’s a player they may feel like they’re reading it so it may be true.
“Last night we were dealing with that, in the morning he’s taking set pieces preparing for tomorrow and then he’s reading that he is not going to the Euros.
“That’s the world I live in but I want to protect my players. I spoke to Trent last night to say ‘don’t know where this is coming from, it’s nonsense’. People jump on it and say I have an agenda or don’t like the kid. It is an incredible situation.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold to play as a midfielder?
Trent Alexander-Arnold will surely be happy that he is part of the England squad but as things stand he is not the best right-back in the squad meaning he could be warming the benches in the European Championship.
Reece James has been in much better form during the second-half of the season and many think the Chelsea lad is going to be the first-choice right-back for England while Trent Alexander-Arnold could be used as a midfielder by Southgate.
The Three Lions manager had hinted last week that Trent has the versatility to play in midfield and many think this is the only reason why the Liverpool full-back has been selected.
But while talking to the press on Tuesday, Southgate has more or less made it clear that Alexander-Arnold is not being considered for a place in the middle of the pitch.
The manager said, as quoted: “We want to see him at full-back first and give him the best chance of doing well.”
NEW: Gareth Southgate says it’s “unlikely” that Trent Alexander-Arnold plays in midfield during Euro 2020.
“We want to see him at full-back first and give him the best chance of doing well.” #awlive [mirror] pic.twitter.com/gEI71HwWXD
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) June 1, 2021
This pretty much means that either Trent Alexander-Arnold is either going to feature as a right-back for England in the Euros or he will have to watch from the substitutes bench.
