Phil Jagielka makes Trent Alexander-Arnold claim ahead of the World Cup
Speaking to Sky Sports (h/t Liverpool Echo), former Premier League defender Phil Jagielka claims that Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold should definitely be in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Jagielka believes Trent offers a different dimension and skill set to other players at Southgate’s disposal. Such ability is essential, especially for a big tournament such as the World Cup where the smallest of factors can make the difference.
“For me, he brings something that maybe no one else, not only in his position but in the squad brings.
“I think in a tournament there are times when you’re going to win games easily and times when you’re going to be struggling to create things, he [Trent] gives you that something special.”
Alexander-Arnold has not had the best of starts to the season. His dip in form has coincided with the loss of form of the team and has struggled to reproduce his best on both sides of the pitch.
It could partly be the reason why Southgate left him out of the team for England’s game against Germany. England’s first-choice right-back is one of the most hotly contested positions with Chelsea’s Reece James, Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier and Manchester City’s Kyle Walker all fighting for the same spot.
This makes Trent’s job to cement his place as first-choice right-back much harder considering the options at Southgate’s disposal. He was abundantly clear about the Liverpool’s right-back’s position in the squad when he was left out.
Speaking to Telegraph (h/t Liverpool Echo), Southgate had this to say about the Trent snub:
“Because of the way we went with the team (against Germany) so we needed Chilly [Ben Chilwell] on the bench and we had Kieran who, at the moment, I feel his all-round game is ahead [of Trent].”
It clearly summarises the position of the manager regarding Trent and he faces an uphill battle to secure his place in the World Cup.
However, Jagielka is indeed correct in his claims that Trent offers something very different from other right-backs at Southgate’s disposal and even if he is not in the starting eleven, he should definitely be on the plane to Qatar.
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With the congestion of league fixtures coming up before the World Cup, it provides Trent with the perfect opportunity to show Southgate of the wonderful things he can add to a team and stake a claim to be included in the England squad.
