Thomas Tuchel has a lot to think about at right-back, with Trent Alexander-Arnold in contention to make his first England appearance since June 2025 when the squad is announced on Friday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold seeks England recall (Image: Mark Cosgrove/Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold hopes to return to the England squad for the final two Wembley friendlies ahead of the World Cup.
Interestingly, England manager Thomas Tuchel and his assistant Anthony Barry have not attended recent Real Madrid matches, which should remain a big question mark. However, Alexander-Arnold is back at Real Madrid, fit and playing again, and on Friday Tuchel will name his squad for the friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan on March 27 and March 31 respectively.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarrell Quansah is certain to feature after making his debut against Albania in November and playing the full game, with Tuchel subsequently saying he was “just a little bit better” than Alexander-Arnold.
Quansar can also play at centre-half on the right side of a back three and has also played at right-back in Albania, a position England currently have major problems with.
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Chelsea defender Reece James is Tuchel’s big favorite, but he faces a race against time to qualify for the World Cup after suffering another hamstring injury.
Tuchel will therefore consider options for a final warm-up match before deciding on his World Cup squad, and there is a good chance he will name an expanded group to cover any further injuries or problems ahead of next Tuesday’s fixture.
Alexander-Arnold has not played for England since June 2025, but has struggled with injuries since then, endured stop-start time in Madrid and will likely be sweating in his place.
Owned by Jarrell Quansah (Image: Vince Mignott/DeFodi via Getty Images)
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Tuchel promised to sound out his players after the final qualifying round in Albania, suggesting he may call around 55 names to assess their chances, and mentioned Alexander-Arnold in particular.
Newcastle’s Tino Libramento is another option at right-back, but Jed Spence has struggled to regain his form during Tottenham’s period of indifference. Everton manager David Moyes has defended James Garner.
Jude Bellingham has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, but Real Madrid announced this week that he has resumed first-team training, although he was not in the squad that won against Manchester City on Tuesday night.
Thomas Tuchel has many decisions to make ahead of the World Cup (Image: Getty Images)
England manager Tuchel went into Chelsea’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, in which Trevor Chalobah was carried off on a stretcher, but Liam Rosenior said he was hoping things were not as bad as initially feared.
Lewis Hall and Nico O’Reilly are both strong candidates to compete for the left-back spot, but Luke Shaw’s performances may have put him in that slot. Arsenal will be worried about Declan Rice playing both games, given his number of appearances so far.
Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes opted not to play against Scotland in the clear hope that the England squad might come, but time was running out and Marcus Rashford did not come on the bench for Barcelona’s 7-2 win against Newcastle on Wednesday.
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