Alexander-Arnold Snubbed: Tuchel Names England Squad Before World Cup | Real Madrid News
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s resurgence at Real Madrid has not been enough to earn him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s final England squad before this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The omission, announced Friday, marks a continued snub for the 27-year-old, despite a recent upturn in form and consistent starting appearances for the Spanish giants.
Alexander-Arnold endured a challenging start to life in Madrid following his £10 million move from Liverpool last summer. However, under the guidance of Alvaro Arbeloa, he has recently cemented a regular spot in the starting eleven, even displacing the long-serving Dani Carvajal, who has himself been left out of the Spain squad for the upcoming international window. Despite this, Tuchel has opted for Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento and Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence as his right-back options.
The decision is particularly notable given the injury to Chelsea captain Reece James, which would have appeared to open a clear pathway back into the England setup for Alexander-Arnold. He has made 20 appearances this season for Real Madrid, overcoming an earlier injury that hampered his initial integration into the team.
Whereas Alexander-Arnold’s exclusion is a significant talking point, the squad does include several other players with recent form varying. Jude Bellingham, despite currently being sidelined with an injury, has been selected. The Real Madrid midfielder is targeting a return to action in the Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid, though his participation remains uncertain. Tuchel acknowledged knowing what Bellingham can bring to the camp, despite his current fitness concerns.
Barcelona loanee Marcus Rashford also received a call-up, despite a recent dip in form. Rashford has featured in just four of Barcelona’s last seven games without registering a goal or assist – his longest such run of the season. His inclusion suggests Tuchel is willing to consider players even during periods of less consistent performance.
Tuchel’s reasoning for the squad selections, and specifically Alexander-Arnold’s omission, centers around a “sporting decision.” Speaking at a press conference at Wembley Stadium, Tuchel stated he already has a clear idea of what players can bring to the camp and has chosen accordingly. He specifically highlighted Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento, and Djed Spence as his preferred options at right-back.
The England manager also indicated a desire to assess players he is less familiar with, explaining his choices for the forward positions. “It is a decision for Dom Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who I don’t know as well as Ollie Watkins. I experience I have a very clear picture of what Ollie can give us, so I want to have a look at two other players,” Tuchel said.
This suggests Tuchel is prioritizing familiarity and a clear understanding of player capabilities as he finalizes his plans for the World Cup. While he has previously praised Alexander-Arnold’s ability, stating he “needs to feel the faith of his managers,” that faith hasn’t translated into a spot in this crucial pre-tournament squad.
The decision to omit Alexander-Arnold raises questions about his international future, particularly with the World Cup looming. While he remains a key player for Real Madrid, consistently starting in recent matches, Tuchel clearly believes other options better suit his tactical vision for the national team. The coming months will be critical for Alexander-Arnold to demonstrate his value and potentially force his way back into Tuchel’s plans.
The squad selection also highlights the increasing competition for places within the England team. With a wealth of talent available, Tuchel is clearly unafraid to make difficult decisions, prioritizing players he believes are best equipped to compete at the highest level. The upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan will provide a valuable opportunity for those selected to showcase their abilities and stake a claim for a place in the final World Cup roster.
The absence of any Liverpool players in the squad is also noteworthy. Former Reds captain Jordan Henderson and current defender Jarrell Quansah were included in the 35-man selection, but ultimately did not make the final cut. This further underscores the competitive nature of the squad and Tuchel’s willingness to experiment with different combinations ahead of the tournament.