Trent Alexander-Arnold is not going to the World Cup after Thomas Tuchel opted not to pick the Real Madrid star – the latest in his list of big-name squad cuts.
Alexander-Arnold joins Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire, Lewis Hall and Luke Shaw among the players told they can jet off on holiday rather than to the United States this summer.
Instead, Djed Spence, from relegation-threatened Tottenham, is set to fly out among England’s defenders. England’s other full backs include Reece James, Nico O’Reilly and Tino Livramento.
England’s full squad announcement is due this morning, with live coverage on Daily Mail Sport from 8.30am.
Alexander-Arnold, 27, would be disappointed but perhaps unsurprised to miss out on the World Cup, given Tuchel’s past comments about him.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the latest England big name to be left at home for the World Cup
Thomas Tuchel has made a number of controversial picks for the tournament this summer
The former Liverpool right back, who started for England at Euro 2024 under Gareth Southgate, moved to Real Madrid last summer but has still failed to break through into Tuchel’s thinking. The former Chelsea manager prefers James at right back and the likes of Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson in midfield.
As recently as March, Tuchel said Alexander-Arnold was ‘behind other guys’ on a ‘long list’ of players.
‘We created a slightly different game model when he was not in camp in September, October, November,’ Tuchel said. ‘It was a game model built on intensity, built on positivity, built even in the profile of the right full back on overlaps on underlaps, very intense.
‘So it was a slightly different profile of players who were with us in camp and who performed so well. We just stick to these guys that is on his back and maybe he was with us in June and he should have maybe deserved a second chance.
‘It is a very hard decision. I’m aware of it, but yeah, he took it on his chin. He will keep on going. I will make sure that I see some matches from Real Madrid, maybe [in the] Champions League to get my last impressions.’
It has been a tough few months for Alexander-Arnold, who is finding his feet in Madrid after a difficult start to his career in a new country.
Real will go trophyless this season and are in disarray ahead of Jose Mourinho’s return as manager. Alexander-Arnold also split from model girlfriend Estelle Behnke two months ago.
Alexander-Arnold also split from girlfriend Estelle Behnke earlier this season
Elsewhere in Tuchel’s squad, the inclusion of Ivan Toney is a shock, given the Al-Ahli striker has played just three minutes under Tuchel and has not been in a squad since last June. Ollie Watkins will complete the centre-forward unit with captain Harry Kane.
Tuchel is set to include Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, Dan Burn and John Stones as his centre backs. Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jordan Henderson and Kobbie Mainoo will form the squad’s midfield quartet.
