Tuchel explains decision to omit Alexander-Arnold from England squad | OneFootball

Thomas Tuchel has explained the reasoning behind his decision to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his latest England squad.

The German coach called up 35 players for the March international window, which sees the Three Lions take on Uruguay on Friday before facing Japan next Tuesday at Wembley Stadium.

Alexander-Arnold’s name was not on the squad list and he was overlooked again when Jarell Quansah pulled out of the camp. Tuchel instead chose to call up Arsenal defender Ben White, who hasn’t played for the national team since returning home from the 2022 World Cup midway through the tournament.

The Real Madrid right-back, who has struggled for form since leaving Liverpool last year, now faces a huge battle to work his way back into the squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Tuchel says he is sticking with the players he has picked over the previous three international breaks, which Alexander-Arnold missed, as the 27-year-old doesn’t fit the physical profile of player for his system. But he stressed that does not mean he is out of the picture.

England boss Tuchel explains Alexander-Arnold decision

“I think it’s a very hard decision that we took,” he told ITV. “No doubt about his talent, no doubt about his career and what he can give to teams.

“We created a slightly different game model when he was not in camp in September, October, November.

“It was a game model built on intensity, built on positivity, built on even like in the profile of the right full-back on overlaps, on underlaps, very intense.

Read – Thomas Tuchel backs Ben White for England revival

“It was a slightly different profile of players who were with us in camp and who performed so well.

“We just stick to these guys. I know that it’s on his back. He was with us in June and he should have maybe deserved a second chance.

“It is a very hard decision, I’m aware of it.  He took it on his chin. He will keep on going.

“I will make sure that I see some matches from Real Madrid, maybe a Champions League match live to get my last impressions.

“He’s on the long list and everyone is still in the mix. But at the moment, some other guys are just ahead of him.”

Read – Bielsa “excited” for Wembley return as Uruguay face in-form England

See Also – Six talking points from Tuchel’s England squad announcement

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