Why Thomas Tuchel must ignore Trent Alexander-Arnold’s flaws and take him to World Cup | OneFootball

Tuesday’s match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich was the obvious choice as England manager Thomas Tuchel decided which Champions League quarter-final to attend, though he probably didn’t expect to come away from the Bernabeu with this much to ponder.

The Three Lions boss saw his old side put in an impressive performance as Bayern ran out 2-1 winners in the first leg, and while Tuchel would no doubt have been entertained by an end-to-end game in the Spanish capital, he’ll be far happier with what he saw in the performances of three potentially key England stars.

Harry Kane’s well-taken goal 20 seconds after the restart was enough to give Bayern a slender lead to take into next week’s second leg in Munich. But this was trademark Kane, and while a record of 49 goals so far this term is hugely encouraging for Tuchel, he’d have learned little from the England captain’s accomplished finish.

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Harry Kane’s well-taken goal was enough to earn Bayern a narrow first-leg lead (AFP/Getty)

However, it is obvious that Tuchel was not here to evaluate the performances of his captain, especially given England’s struggles without him during the most recent international break.

The England boss will be focusing more on his choices to fill the last few spots in the final squad for this summer’s World Cup, as well as who will make up the final names in his starting line-up for the opening match against Croatia in Dallas on 17 June.

To that end, he’ll have been pleased to see Trent Alexander-Arnold starting for Madrid at right-back. The former Liverpool defender has had a difficult start to life in the Spanish capital and he was left out of the latest England squad, with Ben White even favoured ahead of him once Tuchel was forced to make changes to his 35-man roster.

Tuchel has previously voiced concerns over the defensive aspects of Alexander-Arnold’s game but the England manager will be fully aware of his attacking talents, and both aspects of his game were on show at the Bernabeu.

It was noteworthy that Alvaro Arbeloa opted to use the ever-industrious Fede Valverde on the right wing to help out the full-back, with the Madrid manager obviously aware of the threat Luis Diaz possessed when one-on-one with Alexander-Arnold.

This was exposed towards the end of the first half when the winger crept in behind his former Liverpool teammate to give Bayern the lead, and it was one of the final actions in a mixed first half that saw Alexander-Arnold deliver dangerous set-pieces and look threatening in the final third while also giving away possession far too easily on occasion.

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Alexander-Arnold was at fault for Bayern’s opening goal, having failed to track the run of Diaz in behind (Getty Images)

However, the 27-year-old was key to Madrid’s second-half resurgence, continuing his threat from set-pieces before delivering a pinpoint cross into the corridor between Manuel Neuer and his defenders. Kylian Mbappe couldn’t miss, such was the quality of the cross.

At this stage, it is difficult to see Reece James relinquishing the starting spot at right-back if the Chelsea captain can stay fit, and though Tino Livramento would be an interesting inclusion, only James offers anywhere near the same offensive threat as Alexander-Arnold from that position.

This performance might not have been enough to convince Tuchel that Alexander-Arnold should start at right-back, though it was enough to prove that he is a potentially vital tool for an England side that will be expected to dominate possession against many of their opponents in the early stages of this summer’s tournament.

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Alexander-Arnold was a constant threat from set-pieces and set up Madrid’s only goal (Getty Images)

While Alexander-Arnold’s place in the squad remains up for debate, his Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham looks certain to be on the plane, even if the 22-year-old has had a strangely difficult time with England since Tuchel’s arrival.

At one point it seemed as though Bellingham had fallen out of favour with Tuchel – notably after the midfielder’s reaction to being subbed off against Albania in November – and there now seems to be just one place up for grabs in the middle of the park as the new manager settled on Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson as his deeper midfield pairing.

The form of Morgan Rogers earlier in the season seemed to give Tuchel a selection headache in the number 10 position, but Bellingham came on in the 62nd minute against Bayern and produced the sort of cameo that shows why he could be indispensable this summer.

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Bellingham was forced into a bit-part role but he impressed after coming on in the 62nd minute (Getty Images)

Bellingham injected some much needed energy and flair into the Madrid midfield, and he showcased the best of his ability as marauding runs almost set up opportunities for Vinicius Jr and Mbappe before a wonderful through ball set up the latter for a chance he should have scored, with Neuer producing a brilliant save from the Frenchman’s low shot.

A midfield three of Rice, Anderson and Bellingham may not offer the same type of final-third quality and invention that an in-form Phil Foden or Cole Palmer could provide, though with the latter duo both out of form it feels like that trio is the most likely to start England’s opener.

And while Bellingham might not possess the same eye for a final pass as some of his international teammates, he has already proven that alongside his obvious talent, he has the eye for goal and the ability for a standout moment for both Madrid and England.

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Bellingham’s ability to drive forward was a key part in Madrid’s late resurgence (Getty Images)

If Alexander-Arnold’s performance was enough to show that he should at least be in the squad this summer, Bellingham’s was a shorter but more emphatic involvement, with the midfielder so often the man his teammates turned to during his time on the pitch.

It was a cameo with enough skill and attitude to remind Tuchel that Bellingham is still the man for the biggest stage. Given that there is none larger than the one England will take to this summer in the USA, this performance might have been the one to secure himself a starting spot.