Time for Tuchel to offer Alexander-Arnold some trust
Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a stunning assist to help England beat the Czech Republic 3-2, proving Thomas Tuchel must trust him.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Trent Alexander-Arnold made his first start under Thomas Tuchel during England's match against the Czech Republic in Prague.
- The 27-year-old right-back delivered a sublime cross past three defenders for Anthony Gordon to head home.
- Tuchel praised Alexander-Arnold after the match for his excellent performance and professional attitude.
- Alexander-Arnold's international future will face another test when England play Croatia behind closed doors in Rijeka.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel's apparent lack of trust in Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a major narrative of his tenure, especially as the 27-year-old right-back won a Premier League title at Liverpool before moving to Real Madrid since his last England start under interim manager Lee Carsley in October 2024.
He was left out of England's World Cup squad last summer despite right-back being a problematic position for Tuchel, creating the impression that Alexander-Arnold was never part of the German coach's plans. Therefore, his recall for this four-game Nations League camp came as a genuine surprise given how heavily he had been marginalized.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
It was against this backdrop that Alexander-Arnold became the ninth right-back used by Tuchel in 24 games, making his long-awaited start against the Czech Republic in Prague as England looked to bounce back from a 3-2 defeat against Spain at Wembley. Seizing the opportunity, he delivered a world-class moment that may finally convince his manager to focus on his unmatched attacking qualities.
Despite dominating possession, England were struggling to break down the Czechs, who were reduced to 10 men after Pavel Sulc was sent off in the 25th minute for a reckless challenge on Elliot Anderson. Just two minutes after the interval, Alexander-Arnold unlocked the stubborn defense with a moment of brilliance.
"He did very well. He had an excellent assist. Overall, like everyone, he was professional, top attitude and one decisive action."
Thomas Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel's decision to recall and deploy Alexander-Arnold highlights the ongoing tactical challenge of balancing risk and reward in international football. While defensive questions remain surrounding his style of play, his elite passing range and final-third creativity offer dimensions that few other full-backs can replicate. Whether he secures a permanent spot under Tuchel will depend on consistent performances in upcoming fixtures like the match against Croatia.
Although defensive queries will inevitably resurface, those few seconds in Prague demonstrated exactly why Alexander-Arnold remains a unique asset. While those questions must wait for another day, he has certainly earned the opportunity to answer them on the pitch, as England sealed the three points with captain Harry Kane's 87th international goal.
Source: BBC Sport
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