We are entering a period of international matches, for most of those who are already qualified for the World Cup this summer, it is like friendly matches.
England boss Thomas Tuchel has not spoken to Trent Alexander-Arnold and makes a three-word admission about his future at the national team.
Read: Victor Nilsson Lindelöf is gone without explanation
Thomas Tuchel says he has not spoken to Trent Alexander-Arnold after he left the Real Madrid star out of his last England squad.
Alexander-Arnold was left out of the 35-man squad for the upcoming internationals against Uruguay and Japan, which are the Three Lions’ last gathering before the World Cup.
He follows Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw as the most notable names excluded from the squad.
Alexander-Arnold has not played for England since a World Cup qualifier against Andorra in June last year.
He was overlooked by Tuchel in the last three England squads, and the latest omission puts his participation in the World Cup in jeopardy.
Tuchel had previously praised Alexander-Arnold’s attacking qualities, but stressed the importance of the right-back “taking the defensive part very, very seriously.”
After announcing his last squad, Tuchel was asked if he had spoken to Alexander-Arnold: “Not yet.”
When pressed further on whether Alexander-Arnold believes his England career could be over, the Three Lions’ manager added: “I don’t know.”
Alexander-Arnold played one game in the World Cup in 2018 and one in 2022 – a total of 33 minutes.
Discussing the omissions of Watkins, Alexander-Arnold and Shaw, talkSPORT’s England correspondent Faye Carruthers asked if they are so far down in the rankings that their World Cup is over.
Tuchel replied: “No, they are not. In each case, it is individual, and they know that they are on the long list, and they know that whoever is on the long list has a chance to make it to the World Cup.
“This is not a pre-decision, this is just a decision for this gathering. The competition for their positions is ongoing.”
“They have different profiles, there are different reasons why we take out and hold on to other players. I know there are tough decisions, I know there are prominent names, I know they are full of talent.
“But I also feel that I know what they can give us. I’ve seen them in tournaments for England, I’ve seen them with us in gatherings.
“The exception is Luke, he wasn’t in a gathering. Of course, he’s upset, and of course he feels it’s a bit unfair, and maybe it is.
“But it comes with the job, I have to make some decisions.
“I still feel like I know what Luke could have given us, and I still made the decision to stick with Nico O’Reilly, Djed Spence and Tino Livramento, who deserve to be in the collection because of September, October, November.”
It was better news for Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo, who both had call-ups for the March games.
Both players have had a renaissance since Michael Carrick took over as interim Manchester United manager in January, and Tuchel admits that the change of coach has brought out the best in both players.
“Manchester United have had an outstanding period since Michael Carrick took over, and Harry and Kobbie have been a big part of that,” Tuchel said.
“Like I said, this is the last gathering before the trip to the United States, so it’s also my last chance to get to know new players, to learn about them and see how they fit in.
“Harry is not a new player in an England shirt, of course, but he is new to me in this collection.
“I want to observe how he interacts with other players, see him on the pitch, understand what he’s capable of, and gather enough insight to make clear decisions.”
The entire squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Jason Steele, James Trafford
Defenders: Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, Nico O’Reilly, Jarrell Quansah, Djed Spence, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, James Garner, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Adam Wharton
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Dominic Solanke
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