New Trent Alexander-Arnold theory emerges after second England World Cup snub - "The only reason"

Trent Alexander-Arnold mightiness person been near retired of Thomas Tuchel's England World Cup 2026 squad owed to concerns implicit his character, a erstwhile Three Lions right-back has exclusively told Sports Mole.

Real Madrid antheral Alexander-Arnold is watching the Mundial from home, having not been selected for Tuchel's archetypal 26-man England squad oregon erstwhile Tino Livramento withdrew injured.

Rather than replacing the second with an out-and-out right-back, Tuchel called up Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah, who tin relation retired wide but is chiefly utilized successful the bosom of defence.

Alexander-Arnold's astir caller England call-up came successful June 2025, soon earlier his archetypal afloat play with Real Madrid, successful which helium assisted 5 goals successful 30 games crossed each tournaments during an underwhelming inaugural campaign.

Former England and Manchester City right-back Danny Mills believes that Alexander-Arnold's method prime was not the crushed for his snub, but alternatively the ex-Liverpool antheral whitethorn not person been satisfied lone being a sporadic starter.

Trent Alexander-Arnold "character" questioned aft England snub

"You can't question Trent’s ability," Mills told Sports Mole. "We've seen it clip and clip again, his quality connected the shot is perfectly outstanding. We cognize helium has 1 oregon 2 antiaircraft frailties which are often countered by, his quality going forward.

"Across a play successful nine football, that's perfectly good and it's not a problem. I deliberation Thomas Tuchel has looked astatine this England squad and said to himself: ‘What bash I need?’

"Tuchel is besides not the archetypal manager to permission Trent out. This has happened connected a fewer occasions; astatine Real Madrid, for England nether Gareth Southgate and present Tuchel – they can’t each beryllium wrong. The lone crushed I tin deliberation of arsenic to wherefore he's been near retired of the squad is due to the fact that of his character.

"I don't cognize him personally, but is helium going to beryllium blessed astir being a squad player? Is helium going to beryllium delighted and bash everything helium perchance tin erstwhile helium knows he's not going to play oregon beryllium involved?

"Does Tuchel spot him to beryllium that squad player, erstwhile realistically helium mightiness lone get 10-15 minutes successful a tournament? Perhaps not. That's the lone crushed I tin deliberation wherefore helium would beryllium near retired of the squad."

Is Trent Alexander-Arnold's England vocation over?

Since Tuchel became England caput coach, Alexander-Arnold has lone played 26 minutes for his country, successful a precocious substitute quality against Andorra successful June 2025.

Untimely muscular and ankle injuries prevented Alexander-Arnold from making a play for aboriginal England squads, and successful his absence, Tuchel's men kept cleanable sheets for fun.

The Three Lions did not concede a azygous extremity successful their World Cup 2026 Qualifying group, portion Alexander-Arnold made conscionable 14 La Liga starts for Real Madrid successful 2025-26, which was a mediocre run connected an idiosyncratic and corporate level.

When Reece James is fit, the Chelsea antheral is Tuchel's archetypal pick, but Livramento's repeated wounded woes are becoming a concern

Therefore, Alexander-Arnold tin surely play his mode backmost into the England squad by regaining bushed astatine Real Madrid, but barring a disastrous wounded for James, helium mightiness person to hide astir becoming his country's first-choice right-back.

Danny Mills was speaking to Sports Mole connected behalf of betTOM.