Thomas Tuchel confirms Trent Alexander-Arnold stance after England frustration

Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to to feature for Real Madrid at the upcoming Club World Cup but played just 26 minutes in England’s latest international double-header

Trent Alexander-Arnold did not start either England game because of the distraction of his move to Real Madrid. Alexander-Arnold is set to be unveiled by the Spanish giants after his £10m move from Liverpool ahead of the Club World Cup.

But the Real Madrid right back had a frustrating time on international duty which must raise question marks over whether another England manager really fancies him. However, Thomas Tuchel said Alexander-Arnold is a “special player” and said that leaving him out was a decision made with so much else going on in his world.

England boss Tuchel said: “Like every other player, he needs to play and get minutes, and be competitive on the highest level. It’s as easy as that.

“There was a lot going on for Trent in the last weeks. Even now with the change of city, change of environment, change of country, change of club. Let’s see.

“I wish him all the best and he was in camp and like every other player be there, be competitive, find your place, keep your place, and be ready for nomination in September.

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“Trent is Trent. He’s a special player, it makes not so much sense to focus on a part of his game that’s not his strength. We all know what he can give to a team. If he steps up to his highest level he will always be in contention for nomination.”

Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold’s new club team-mate Jude Bellingham is set to miss England’s next two World Cup qualifiers. Tuchel admitted that he fully expects Bellingham to undergo shoulder surgery after the Club World Cup.

Real Madrid star Bellingham has been playing with heavy strapping on the injury for the past year and will go under the knife this summer. That means he is set to miss the qualifiers with Andorra at Wembley and a trip to Serbia but Tuchel insists the other players will need to step up and prove they can cope without him.

Tuchel said: “It can be an issue. But we can do without… We have whom we have. The players need to make sure they’re in the right mindset, they have their place, they’re fit and strong, a World Cup season demands everything from the players.

“They need to be at the highest standards, and if a player cannot make it because of a surgery or injury or whatever we have to step up and do it as a team without them, no question.”

And while Jude will miss the next batch of internationals, his brother Jobe has been thrown a shock World Cup chance after his move to Borussia Dortmund. The 19-year-old is following in Jude’s footsteps by moving to the Bundesliga club to further his career. It worked brilliantly for Jude Bellingham as the England star became one of the best midfielders in the world and is now a superstar with Real Madrid.

Jobe has already represented England at under-21 level, helped Sunderland to gain promotion to the Premier League and his £32m fee was more than Dortmund paid for Jude. Tuchel revealed they will now monitor Jobe’s progress carefully and both brothers could go to next summer’s World Cup.

When asked whether there was a chance of a call-up and Dortmund being a good platform, Tuchel said: “It works well in his family.” And Tuchel admitted he could be one they look at before adding: “Of course. Everyone is a one.

“It starts World Cup season, in August for me. The start of the season after the club World Cup. World Cup season, if you’re ready at that highest level, you can be selected. If he’s playing, then of course.”

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