Manager Thomas Tuchel explained his call at a press conference. (Image: Getty)
When asked why Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out of the England squad, Thomas Tuchel sheepishly tucked his card close to his chest. Alexander-Arnold is one of several high-profile players left out of England’s expanded 35-man squad for the friendly against Uruguay and Japan.
Among the players who may have found it tough to miss out on the squad are Nick Pope, Luke Shaw, Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White, Ollie Watkins, Alex Scott and Ivan Toney. There may also be a discussion about the likes of Harvey Barnes, Jarrad Branthwaite and Danny Welbeck, who have all impressed recently.
Regarding the decision to exclude Alexander-Arnold, the German manager said: “We know it’s a difficult decision for Trent, as well as for Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw. These difficult decisions come from work. It’s a sporting decision and we continue to use Tino Livramento, Jed Spence and Jarrell Quansah, who can play as right-backs.”
“This is a decision for Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but I don’t know how they will compare to Ollie Watkins. I have a clear image of him and have watched him in tournaments and qualifying football. I will look at the other two players to get a better picture and get a clear opinion.”
“It’s difficult. Big names, huge talent and great careers, but I know what Trent can give us, so I decided to stick with the players we have.”
He added: “I would say it’s a slightly different profile. It’s less to do with what Trent can’t deliver and more to do with the evidence we have that they were very good in September, October and November.”
“I know very well what Trent can offer us. I have played with him many times and suffered when he played against my team at Liverpool. I know what he can give, but at the moment we have evidence of how good we were in September, October and November. But the players who are in camp as right-backs have to push for tickets and prove that they deserve this spot.”
Manager Thomas Tuchel opposed the inclusion of Trent Alexander-Arnold (Image: Getty)
Tuchel explained that the increased squad size is so that he and his coaching team can take a better look at some of the players who could be on the fringes of the team. Additionally, the former Chelsea manager explained that not all players included will feature in next week’s first friendly.
They include Dean Henderson, Dan Byrne, Mark Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rodgers, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.
“All of them have played over 3,500 minutes, and some of them have played over 4,000 minutes,” he said. “Some of them have already played more minutes than last season, and there are still games left.”
“All of these players contributed in September, October and November, so they give me some credit. By giving them a break mentally and physically, we’re going to benefit from that. When they come in, the headlines will change from the competition for a few minutes, but it’s about recombining the group and bringing it up to our standards.”
England squad full squad for March
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Dan Byrne (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Libramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire ( Manchester United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Jed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Koby Mainou (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rodgers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Ebelesi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Maduke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford. (Loan from Barcelona, Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)
