Thomas Tuchel explains Trent Alexander-Arnold England squad omission choice
Thomas Tuchel has explained his decision to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of England’s 35-man squad for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan
Thomas Tuchel has shed light on his decision to exclude Trent Alexander-Arnold from his latest England squad.
The ex-Liverpool defender has struggled for form and fitness since his controversial transfer to Real Madrid last summer, having failed to sign a new contract with the Premier League champions. And he has also failed to make the cut for Tuchel’s extended 35-man team for the Three Lions’ friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
The German manager explained his choice not to pick the 27-year-old at a press conference on Friday morning, reports the Liverpool Echo. Tuchel said: “Tough decision for Trent, as it is for Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw. These decisions come with the job. It’s a sporting decision.”
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“Tino Livramento and Djed Spence can play for us on the right, Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin can play up front.”
“I have a very clear picture of what Ollie can give us, so I want to have a look at two other players to get a better picture and have a clearer opinion.
“The right-backs (we have) offer slightly different profiles (to Alexander-Arnold), the evidence is we were good in September-November than anything from Trent.
“I played many times against him and suffered many times when he played against my teams. I know very well his strengths and what he can give.”
Elsewhere in the squad, which includes no Liverpool players, Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have all returned from the international wilderness, while James Garner and Jason Steele received their first call-ups.
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England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale, Jason Steele, James Trafford
Defenders: Harry Maguire, Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori, Lewis Hall
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, James Garner, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Adam Wharton
Forwards: Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Dominic Solanke
