A report claims that Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold will be named in the final England squad for the European Championships amid rumours he could be axed.
England’s players are set to learn their fate as Gareth Southgate prepares to name his final 26-man squad for this summer’s European Championship later today.
Three Lions manager Southgate has been mulling over some major calls, with seven players facing the axe from the provisional 33-man selection announced last week.
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Mason Greenwood has already pulled out of the squad due to an injury, leaving another six to come out of the squad, with Jesse Lingard rumoured to be one casualty.
It is less than a fortnight until England take on World Cup semi-final foes Croatia in their tournament opener at Wembley, but a complicated build-up means Southgate has delayed finalising his group.
The fitness of Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson and the balance of the squad, especially given the strength in depth at right-back, are key considerations ahead of Tuesday evening’s UEFA deadline.
There were reports Alexander-Arnold would miss out but that information now seems to have changed over the last 24 hours with Sky Sports reporting he will be included in Southgate’s final squad.
Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett claims: “This is quite a change from what we’d been told in recent days and weeks, in truth.
“The competition is stiff. Kyle Walker is a Premier League champion. Kieran Trippier, a La Liga champion. Reece James, outstanding in the Champions League final.
“By his own very high standards, Trent had a dip in the middle part of the season, so much so that he was dropped from the last England squad in March.
“What we don’t know at this stage is whether one of the other right-backs will be sacrificed in his place. There is a potential that Southgate might include all four.
“I don’t think there has ever been any question mark over Trent’s character, his relationship with Southgate or his importance to this team. The problem for Southgate has always been that he has four world-class right-backs.
“All four right-backs have abilities to play in other positions. Walker and James both played as centre-backs in a back three this season. We know Trippier can play both right and left back, and has done for England. If Southgate thinks those players are covering other positions, maybe that’s what has freed up a spot for Alexander-Arnold.”
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