Liam Duckstein
England manager Thomas Tuchel has detailed his reasons for leaving Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the Three Lions squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. The 27-year-old defender has not represented his country since Tuchel took over in early 2025, casting doubt on his involvement in the upcoming World Cup.
While Alexander-Arnold has faced fitness hurdles during his first season with Real Madrid, he has been active since February. He has made nine appearances across all competitions since returning from injury, yet failed to earn a recall for the March camp.
Tuchel Evaluates Right-Back Competition
The England boss referenced his long history of facing the defender while at the helm of various European clubs. Tuchel acknowledged the unique skillset the former Liverpool man possesses while defending his current selection choices.
“I know very well what Trent can offer us. I played many times against him and suffered when he played against my teams with Liverpool. So I know very well about his strength and what he can give. But at the moment it is like we have evidence how good we were in September, October, November, and the players who are in camp for right full-back, they have to push for their ticket, they have to compete, they have to show again that they deserve this.”
Alexander-Arnold last appeared for England in the summer of 2025 as a substitute against Andorra. To fill the role for the upcoming matches, Tuchel has opted to retain Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento, and Djed Spence.
Watkins and Shaw Also Sidelined
The squad selection also saw Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins omitted. Watkins has struggled for form in 2026, recording just three goals in 16 appearances. Tuchel explained that he chose to integrate Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to assess their fit within the tactical setup.
“I know that it’s a tough decision for Trent as it is for Ollie Watkins at the moment and for Luke Shaw. These tough decisions come with the job. It is a sporting decision. I feel I have a very clear picture of what Ollie can give us. I saw him in tournaments. I saw him with us in qualifying football, so I want to have a look at two other players to get a better picture and have a clearer opinion.”
Tuchel maintained that while the names omitted are high-profile talents with significant careers, the priority remains the players who have consistently delivered during his initial months in charge. Follow TipsGG for more England national team updates as the World Cup approaches.