Not many England fans would expect Trent Alexander-Arnold to ever be dropped from an international squad, yet that’s just what’s happened this week for the UEFA Nations League.
Gareth Southgate has taken the decision to drop the Liverpool superstar from England’s clash against the old enemy Germany, with Alexander-Arnold ending the final international break with the Three Lions without playing a single minute ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
It’s a worrying development for many England fans who thought this tournament could be the one where Southgate’s men go all the way and claim silverware for the first time since 1966, however, Alexander-Arnold being dropped from the squad has only added more pressure to the manager’s position.
Indeed, Southgate’s squad selections have yielded results in previous competitions, but they have also drawn criticism from fans of all clubs, and here are five players the England boss will be crazy to leave out ahead of the World Cup this November in Qatar.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
As mentioned, Alexander-Arnold will not be a part of England’s squad to face Germany this Monday at Wembley Stadium, and it’s safe to say that the decision has not gone down well with the Three Lions’ boss on social media, with the Liverpool star arguably the best fullback in the Premier League.
Whilst the 24-year-old’s form has been poor this season, there’s no denying that Alexander-Arnold should be a mainstay for England and one of the first names on the teamsheet regardless of the formation, and the decision by Southgate to drop the Liverpool defender against Germany is a risky one, to say the least.
Whilst England are stacked for right-backs, none offer the creative and passing qualities Alexander-Arnold possesses, and there will be mass outrage from many supporters if the UEFA Champions League and Premier League winner is not on the plane to Qatar this November.
Ben White
From one player dropped within the international break to one who didn’t even make the squad, many eyebrows were raised when the news broke that Arsenal defender Ben White had been dropped from the England team for this month’s Nations League fixtures, especially given the form the 24-year-old is in this season.
Playing as a right-back, White has excelled in his new position for Arsenal, who currently sit top of the Premier League and have one of the best defensive records in England this campaign, and the decision from Southgate to drop the former Brighton & Hove Albion star is an odd one, to say the least.
White’s form at right-back this year makes the Arsenal defender the perfect versatile option at the back for Southgate, and the centre-back’s ability to play out of the back with ease will be a useful trait for England, who will be nothing short of mental to leave out the north London star for the World Cup.
James Ward-Prowse
Much like Alexander-Arnold, James Ward-Prowse has also been dealt the cut by Southgate this morning as the Southampton captain was dropped for the England squad to face Germany, and this decision could snowball into the Premier League maestro missing out on a spot for Qatar.
One of the best set-piece takers in Europe and a player who be a secret weapon for England in any major tournament, Ward-Prowse being a specialist option for the Three Lions is something many supporters are in favour of, especially if the subject of a penalty shoot-out is once again on the cards.
With the midfielder in the form of his life, Ward-Prowse would be a more-than deserving midfielder to take one of the crucial spots to the World Cup this winter, and Southgate could miss a trick if he is to drop the Southampton skipper in November for the competition.
Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho has not been seen in an England squad for quite some time, yet a good argument could be made that the Manchester United winger deserved to return to the team after his impressive start to the new season under Erik Ten Hag, especially ahead of other players like Jarrod Bowen.
The former Borussia Dortmund star has been one of United’s best players this campaign, and Sancho’s form under his new manager has many thinking that the winger could finally be on the road to becoming the player many expected the 23-year-old to blossom into upon his return to England.
Alas, Southgate didn’t see that this month, and whilst there’s still more time for Sancho to impress his England manager, the fact the attacker wasn’t included for the September international fixtures is a worrying sign that the United winger could miss out on Qatar.
Tammy Abraham
Harry Kane will be the leading man for England in Qatar, yet having a good backup will take you far in any major tournament, and Tammy Abraham is easily the Three Lions’ best striker beyond the Tottenham superstar, yet international minutes have been sparse for the AS Roma attacker.
Abraham has only made one appearance for England this year, and whilst Kane is a striker who can last a full game when fully fit, there’s a chance that Southgate could go bold and only bring two centre-forwards to Qatar, with the former Chelsea star in danger of missing out on his place to the Middle East.
Indeed, whilst there’s a small chance that Abraham could be dropped, form of other English strikers could play a role in the Roma man being left out of a spot to Qatar despite how ideal his game is for Southgate’s system in international tournaments.
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