- Tuchel axes Alexander-Arnold
- Madrid star struggling for game time
- Wharton & Spence in squad while Rashford recalled
For Alexander-Arnold, who swapped Liverpool red for Real Madrid‘s white this summer, the news comes as a bitter blow. Just months after making the bold leap to La Liga, he now faces questions over both his club status and his international future. He started Madrid’s opening fixture of the season, only to be withdrawn after 68 minutes. In the following game, he didn’t make the starting line-up, but was introduced from the bench in the second half during a 3-0 win over Oveido.
Tuchel’s decision is no sudden knee-jerk. Back in June, when England faced Andorra and Senegal, the manager had already voiced concern about Alexander-Arnold’s defensive reliability.
“I can see that sometimes he relies heavily on his offensive contributions and gives not so much emphasis on the defensive discipline and effort,” Tuchel said. “This major impact that he had for Liverpool over so many years… if he wants to have this impact in the English national team then he has to take the defensive part very, very seriously.”
Jack Grealish, who swapped Manchester City for Everton in the summer, also failed to make the cut despite providing for two goals in the Toffees’ 2-0 win over Brighton. However, Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and Tottenham full-back Spence have been rewarded for their consistency with a maiden call-up. Marcus Rashford has also earned a recall, with Cole Palmer sidelined with an injury.
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Dean Henderson
Defenders: Reece James, Marc Guehi, John Stones, Dan Burn, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jordan Henderson, Adam Wharton, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice
Forwards: Harry Kane, Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins
Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid was billed as a defining chapter in his career, a chance to test himself beyond Liverpool and step into the glamour of European royalty. Yet the early signs suggest it may complicate rather than enhance his international prospects. With club captain and stalwart Dani Carvajal still firing on all cylinders, even at 32, Trent faces a real fight to establish himself in Madrid’s starting XI. A starring role against Mallorca this weekend could change the mood, but consistency will be key to retaining his starting status, as Carvajal will be breathing down his neck.
