IT’S clear to me Trent Alexander- Arnold and Ben Chilwell should now be given the chance to knuckle down the full-back positions.
You just have to look at Liverpool to see how important full-backs are in the modern game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Chilwell should now be given the chance to knuckle down the full-back positionsCredit: PA:Press Association
Nobody has more assists this season for the Reds than Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, with the two a constant attacking threat.
And I see no reason why TAA and Chilwell can’t be just as important for England at next summer’s Euros.
Playing a 4-3-3, the width is more often than not going to come from the full-backs.
It allows those alongside Harry Kane — whether it be Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford or Jadon Sancho — to play centrally, knowing the full-backs will occupy wide areas.
One of the beauties of this England team is the strength in depth at full-back.
Those alongside Kane, whether it be Sterling, Rashford or Sancho can play centrally, knowing the full-backs will occupy wide areasCredit: Getty – Contributor
While Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker have between them played five of England’s Euro qualifiers on the right, Alexander-Arnold has only managed two starts.
He’s been exceptional for Liverpool but, at just 21, maybe Gareth Southgate has looked at it and wanted more experience there.
On the left side, Chilwell — who picked up a hat-trick of assists against Montenegro in midweek — has started four games to Danny Rose’s three.
More so than in attacking areas, where it’s often off the cuff, it’s so important to have continuity at the back to build an understanding.
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Thursday was just Chilwell and Alexander-Arnold’s third start together but, going forward, these two need the chance to bed in properly ahead of next summer.
England must make sure they are not too susceptible to the counter-attack — and this is where consistency in selection comes into it.
By breeding familiarity at the back, collectively the side will know what they should do and where they should be, snuffing out the danger earlier.
Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker have between them played five of England’s Euro qualifiersCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Kyle Walker could be overlooked at right-back for Alexander-ArnoldCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
