Speaking on the Joe YouTube channel, Micah Richards has been trying to build a combined XI from the England 2006 and 2022 World Cup squads.
The 2006 squad was the so-called ‘Golden Generation’ packed full of world-class talents such as Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole and Michael Owen, but this 2022 squad has some talented star in their own right.
Understandably, there aren’t many 2022 representatives in Richards’ team, but there is one player in the defence – Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Indeed, the pundit picked the Liverpool star over Manchester United legend Gary Neville, stating that Neville wasn’t quite at his best by the time 2006 rolled around.
Alexander-Arnold over Neville
Richards picked the Liverpool ace over Neville.
“I need some parameters on this. Gary Neville was in the squad, but he was coming towards his end so it’s a difficult one,” Richards said.
“I’m not picking the 2006 version, you have to state that though. I’m going to pick Trent or James or Trippier and people are going to say ‘they’re not better than Neville.’ But it’s this version.
“Ability wise Trent has to be there, but he’s not played that well for England, so I have to have him. The reason I’m having Alexander-Arnold is because the rest of the team is balanced with the midfield and the centre-backs.”
The better player
Regardless of whether you’re picking an aged 2006 version of Gary Neville or the treble-winning 1999 version of Gary Neville, Trent Alexander-Arnold is still the player to choose here.
Neville himself has conceded that he’s never seen a full-back like Alexander-Arnold before.
“Alexander-Arnold is an absolute phenomenon when it comes to the quality of his passing, his delivery. It’s something I’ve never seen before from a full-back,” Neville once said.
“It’s like De Bruyne, it’s Beckham, it’s Gerrard, and they’re attacking players. He’s playing at right-back, it’s the highest accolade I could pay him.”
Yes, Neville has the more impressive trophy cabinet, but he also played during an era when the game was slower and quality was slightly lower.
When all is said and done, Alexander-Arnold may just be the best right-back England has ever seen.
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