Thomas Tuchel has much to ponder at right-back, with Trent Alexander-Arnold in contention for a first England appearance since June 2025 when the squad is named on Friday
Trent Alexander-Arnold is pushing for an England recall(Image: Mark Cosgrove/Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold is hoping to be back in England’s squad for the last two Wembley friendlies ahead of the World Cup.
Intriguingly, England boss Thomas Tuchel and his assistant Anthony Barry have not been to any recent Real Madrid games which must leave a major question mark. But Alexander-Arnold is back, fit and playing again for Real Madrid ahead of Tuchel naming his squad on Friday for the friendlies with Uruguay and Japan on March 27 and 31 respectively.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah looks certain to be in as he made his debut against Albania in November, played the full game and Tuchel said afterwards he was “a tiny bit ahead” of Alexander-Arnold.
Quansah can also operate as a centre-half, on the right of a back three and played as a right-back in Albania with England currently having real issues in that position.
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Chelsea defender Reece James is a huge Tuchel favourite but he is now facing a race against time to be fit for the World Cup after suffering another hamstring injury.
That leaves Tuchel considering his options for the final warm-up games before he names his squad for the World Cup and he may well name an enlarged group to cover for further injuries and issues ahead of their meet-up next Tuesday.
Alexander-Arnold has not played for England since June 2025 but has suffered injuries since then, endured a stop-start time at Madrid and is probably sweating on his place.
Jarell Quansah is the man in possession (Image: Vince Mignott/DeFodi via Getty Images)
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Tuchel promised to sound out players after the last qualifier in Albania, indicating he could call around 55 names to talk through their chances and specifically mentioned Alexander-Arnold.
Newcastle’s Tino Livramento is another option at right-back while Djed Spence has struggled for form during Tottenham’s indifferent spell. Everton boss David Moyes has been championing James Garner.
Jude Bellingham has been out with a hamstring injury but Real Madrid announced this week that he has resumed first team training even though he was not in the squad which won at Manchester City on Tuesday night.
Thomas Tuchel has lots of decisions to make before the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)
England boss Tuchel was at Chelsea’s defeat by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday where Trevoh Chalobah was stretchered off, even though Liam Rosenior said they were hoping it was not as bad as first feared.
Lewis Hall and Nico O’Reilly are both strong contenders for the left-back slot while Luke Shaw’s performances may have put him in the frame. Arsenal will be anxious about Declan Rice’s involvement in both games, considering the amount of games he has played.
Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes elected not to be available for Scotland with the clear hope England may come calling but is running out of time while Marcus Rashford did not get off the bench in Barcelona’s 7-2 win over Newcastle on Wednesday.
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