The full-back is one of the best passers in his position, but doubts over his defensive work have continued to put him down
“If Trent Alexander-Arnold was even just half a decent defender, he would be one of the greatest full-backs of all time,” Gary Neville once said.
His passing ability is not in doubt – it’s arguably the best out there in his position – but time and again other aspects of Alexander-Arnold’s game have often consigned the player to the B-rank.
On Friday the right-back was dealt a huge blow after England manager Thomas Tuchel left him out of his squad for September’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
First, the 26-year-old has endured mixed fortunes since joining Real Madrid from Liverpool this summer, with a place in the starting XI less than guaranteed.
He started Madrid’s opening league game but was substituted after 68 minutes. He was then dropped for their next match against Oviedo last Sunday, coming off the bench in the 3-0 win.
Tuchel’s call to drop him from the England squad is the latest setback for a player who has been described as one of the best right-backs in the world. The best players play for their national team – that is pretty much a footballing principle.
Instead, Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence has been handed a first call-up in his place.
Tuchel’s decision continues a theme from June, when he raised doubts about Alexander-Arnold’s defensive work during England’s friendlies.
“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.
“If he wants to have this impact in the English national team then he has to take the defensive part very, very seriously.”
What would Alexander-Arnold be thinking at that point? Hammer on his identity as an attacking full-back and continue to improve that aspect of himself, or start to plan how he can redefine his game and become a much more balanced defender?
The full-back will be the first to admit there are several more levels he can add to his game, to make him a much better player than he already is. But there’s no doubt he will be hurt by this latest sting.
