Why Trent Alexander-Arnold was dropped from England lineup vs. Croatia as Thomas Tuchel explains decision

By Ben Knapton | 03 Oct 2026 17:40, Last updated: 03 Oct 2026 17:40

England manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed wherefore Trent Alexander-Arnold did not commencement for the Three Lions successful their UEFA Nations League clash with Croatia connected Saturday.

The Real Madrid antheral made his people successful Tuesday's 2-0 triumph implicit the Czech Republic, providing the assistance for Anthony Gordon to caput location the opening extremity aft being promoted to the XI.

However, Alexander-Arnold was dropped from the England lineup for the matchday 3 brushwood successful Rijeka, arsenic Tuchel sided with his erstwhile Liverpool teammate Jarell Quansah astatine right-back.

Tuchel's determination inevitably garnered disapproval from supporters, particularly successful the aftermath of Alexander-Arnold's assistance against Czechia and Quansah's indifferent show against Spain past weekend.

Asked by ITV Sport why helium had sided with Quansah implicit Alexander-Arnold, Tuchel suggested that the Bayer Leverkusen man's antiaircraft attributes were a cardinal origin successful his decision.

Why Trent Alexander-Arnold didn't commencement for England against Croatia

"It was a adjacent determination and we decided for Jarell to start," Tuchel said. "There's a batch to support connected the broadside against Perisic, and Jarell did good unneurotic with Bukayo. We person Trent arsenic an enactment from the bench."

Quansah's promotion to the starting lineup implicit Alexander-Arnold was 1 of 5 changes that Tuchel made to his England XI, arsenic Alex Scott, Jordan Pickford, Ezri Konsa and Jude Bellingham besides returned.

The manager's calls proved effectual successful the archetypal half, arsenic Bellingham fed Harry Kane - winning his 124th headdress for his state - to occurrence location the opening extremity and his 88th successful an England shirt.

Bellingham past went from supplier to poacher, latching onto Anthony Gordon's cut-back to treble the Three Lions' pb earlier the 30-minute mark.

How does Trent Alexander-Arnold comparison to Jarell Quansah?

Few defenders successful satellite shot tin replicate Alexander-Arnold's exemplary playmaking skills, but the right-back's rearguard prowess continues to beryllium called into question.

Owing to his acquisition arsenic a centre-back, Quansah represents a much earthy antiaircraft option, and 1 who won importantly much duels per 90 minutes than his compatriot successful the 2025-26 home season.

Quansah besides registered a higher walk completion percent than Alexander-Arnold, though that statistic tin besides suggest that the Bayer Leverkusen antheral attempted safer passes than the Real Madrid right-back.

Alexander-Arnold's crossing numbers trump Quansah's, though, portion the erstwhile besides posted much large chances created, done balls and shots per 90 minutes.