England’s fear of Trent shapes Tuchel’s World Cup legacy

Under the bright lights of the Czechia fixture on Tuesday, Thomas Tuchel handed Trent Alexander-Arnold his first start for England, a move that instantly shifted the match’s rhythm. The former Liverpool right‑back created Anthony Gordon’s opening goal, signalling a potential new direction for an England side still haunted by World Cup disappointment.

Tuesday’s breakthrough

Tuchel’s decision to start the Real Madrid‑linked defender‑midfielder against Czechia paid off within minutes of the break. Trent’s incisive pass unlocked the defence and set up Gordon’s strike, demonstrating the kind of creative spark that many pundits have long argued he possesses.

Defensive doubts and praise

Andy Robertson, Trent’s former Liverpool teammate, defended the criticism, saying, “In Trent’s best games he was an unbelievable 1v1 defender.” He added that he had seen Trent “lock up Mbappe for PSG” in a Champions League final and that Sadio Mane’s support allowed him to be more aggressive. Robertson also noted that the team often let Mohamed Salah drift forward, leaving Trent to wait for Jordan Henderson before committing defensively.

Despite such endorsements, the perception that Trent “can’t defend” has lingered since his youth. At 27, he has amassed only 34 caps, a figure that fuels the narrative of a player whose defensive shortcomings outweigh his attacking gifts.

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World Cup legacy

For years, Gareth Southgate’s selections boiled down to a choice between Trent and Kyle Walker, the latter offering a more conventional defensive profile. Recent injury woes to Tuchel favourites Tino Livramento and Reece James have intensified calls to trust Trent now, especially as his ability to launch long passes fits Tuchel’s strategy of getting runners beyond Harry Kane.

England’s World Cup campaign was ultimately defined by fear, with the loss to Argentina exposing a collective anxiety that saw defenders “fall asleep at the back post” before a free‑header sealed the defeat. While it is impossible to know whether Trent would have altered that outcome, the episode underscores how deeply the fear of defensive frailty has shaped England’s recent narrative.

As the national team looks ahead, the debate over Trent’s optimal position—right back, left‑side drifter, or midfield maestro—remains unresolved. Yet Tuchel’s willingness to start him against Czechia suggests a willingness to rewrite the story, offering a glimpse of how England might move beyond the shadow of its World Cup failure.