Henry Winter Thomas Tuchel urged to risk Trent Alexander-Arnold
England’s Nations League hopes hung in the balance after Thomas Tuchel left Trent Alexander‑Arnold on the bench at Wembley on Saturday, despite the right‑back’s No 2 shirt and a desperate need for quality delivery against Spain. The decision sparked criticism, with pundits arguing the move cost England a chance to unlock width.
Tuchel's gamble
Thomas Tuchel defended his selection, saying, “There was a lot of defending to do as well, one‑on‑one defending. Marc Guehi followed in midfield, so we ended up in a back‑three.” He added that Jarell Quansah’s speed and quality were needed as a central defender. The coach also echoed the sentiment that “when you want to be the best, and have to beat the best, you have to take a risk or two” and “when you’re chasing a game, you have to gamble.”
Alexander‑Arnold’s credentials
Trent Alexander‑Arnold has logged 354 appearances for Liverpool, winning the English league twice and the European Cup once. He has contributed 23 goals and an astonishing 86 assists, proving his attacking pedigree. Defensively, he has improved, yet his high‑profile lapses, such as being caught out by Vinicius Jr in the 2022 Champions League final, are often highlighted. Despite these criticisms, he remains England’s best passer from defence.
Alternative options
England have conceded 13 goals in their last six fixtures, prompting Tuchel to experiment with several right‑backs. Since the Andorra match fifteen months ago, he has started Jarell Quansah, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Djed Spence, Ben White, Tino Livramento and Kyle Walker in that role. In the Andorra game of 2025, Alexander‑Arnold entered as a midfielder for Jordan Henderson while Curtis Jones filled the right‑back slot.
Against Spain, Dominic Calvert‑Lewin replaced Harry Kane with seven minutes remaining, yet the team lacked width, limiting his ability to exploit crosses. Anthony Gordon suffered an early tactical shift, Bukayo Saka was forced off, and Morgan Rogers drifted wide while Morgan Gibbs‑White moved centrally. A single ball from Alexander‑Arnold could have provided Calvert‑Lewin with a dangerous delivery.
Looking ahead to Prague
England travel to Prague on Tuesday to face Czechia, ranked 49th in the world, in a Nations League qualifier. The match offers a chance to restore confidence and secure a vital point. With a more defensive left‑back available, Tuchel could allow Alexander‑Arnold to roam freely and create the crossing threat England lacked against Spain.
Taking a calculated risk on Alexander‑Arnold may reward England with the attacking width they have missed, while a solid defensive setup could keep the back line secure. As the qualifier approaches, the balance between risk and reward will define Tuchel’s legacy.