Time for Tuchel to offer Alexander-Arnold some trust
Having been overlooked for so long, Trent Alexander-Arnold produced a world-class moment on his return, writes Phil McNulty.
The apparent lack of trust in Trent Alexander-Arnold from England head coach Thomas Tuchel has been a defining feature of his tenure. Since Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid, he has not been selected for the England national team, despite being a right-back who has won a Premier League title with Liverpool. His recall for the Nations League camp in October 2024 was a surprise, as he had been marginalised by Tuchel.
However, Alexander-Arnold's performance against the Czech Republic proved his worth, delivering a world-class moment that could convince Tuchel to trust in his abilities. This moment, where he delivered a stunning cross that led to Anthony Gordon's header, showed his attacking prowess and defensive skills. Tuchel acknowledged Alexander-Arnold's excellent assist and overall professional attitude, stating that he believed Alexander-Arnold could produce such assists.
Gordon, on the other hand, praised Alexander-Arnold's ability to take risks and create chances, highlighting his unique selling point. Alexander-Arnold himself expressed his happiness with his performance and belief in playing for England. This moment of brilliance could be a turning point in Tuchel's thinking and Alexander-Arnold's England career, but it remains to be seen if this will be enough to convince the head coach.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Sport's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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