Callum Wilson has claimed that Chelsea defender Reece James is ‘more robust’ than Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, as he told The Footballer’s Football Podcast.
The Newcastle United striker added that he doesn’t care if Trent Alexander-Arnold has issues with his defending, because of his qualities going forward and how he would just provide him with goals.
During England’s recent international outing, Alexander-Arnold earned a total of zero minutes for his country, with Chelsea academy product, Reece James starting both games against Italy and Germany.
There was huge debate when Gareth Southgate decided to drop the Liverpool star for the matchday squad against Germany and why he hasn’t provided the assist machine with more minutes.
His form hasn’t been great on Merseyside this season and questions have always been asked of his defence, but that shouldn’t hide what he produces going forward.
Wilson has trained with Alexander-Arnold for England, but not with James, as he shared his thoughts on the duo, including the Liverpool man’s struggle to earn minutes for the Three Lions.
“Do you not think, in an England team, in a Liverpool team, in a team that are possession-based and have a lot of the ball, then you would play Trent because of his attacking capabilities,” said Wilson.
“There’s probably not going to be much defending to be had. If you are talking about a team in the bottom half of the Premier League or a lower international team, then you might have a valid point (about Trent’s defending issues). I just feel England is blessed with unbelievable right-backs. We have so many talented right-backs. It’s a difficult job. The manager is probably trying to get a few of them in at one time.
“For me, as a striker, I couldn’t care if a right-back, like him, couldn’t defend. If he’s putting crosses in the box like that, then I don’t care. You will let two goals in, but you will set up three or four. That’s goals, for me.
On the difference between TAA & Reece James: “I think Reece James looks more robust. I have never trained or played with Reece, I can only comment from the point of view of when I have worked with Trent. I have seen Reece when we have played against him, he has scored some unbelievable goals against us, and he’s an unbelievable right-back as well.
“That’s a difficult job as well. I couldn’t choose one – they both have their strengths and weaknesses.”
ENGLAND’S LOSS IS LIVERPOOL’S GAIN
What Alexander-Arnold has done in Liverpool colours over the years is pretty remarkable and many will still question Southgate as to why he hasn’t been able to get that talent out of him on the international stage.
There’s no doubt that he will be frustrated at how things have panned out for him during the past week, but it might all work in Jurgen Klopp’s favour.
The German probably now has an angry player ready to let everything out when the Reds return to Premier League action at the weekend.
And whilst it now seems unlikely he won’t be going to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, he can still answer his critics by putting in top performances on the domestic stage, which fans have seen on a regular basis before.
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