England head coach Thomas Tuchel's apparent lack of trust in Trent Alexander-Arnold has been one of the defining features - and a constant narrative - of his time in charge. The 27-year-old right-back has won a Premier League title at Liverpool then moved to Real Madrid since he last started for England, selected as a left-back by interim manager Lee Carsley when scoring in a 3-1 Nations League win in Finland in October 2024. He was ignored for England's World Cup squad last summer, despite right-back being a cursed role for Tuchel, making it appear that whatever questions the German had about that position, Alexander-Arnold was never going to be the answer.
So Tuchel's decision to recall Alexander-Arnold for this four-game Nations League camp came as a surprise, so emphatically had he been marginalised by England. It was against this backdrop that Alexander-Arnold became the ninth right-back used by Tuchel in 24 games when he finally got his start against Czech Republic in Prague as England tried to recover from the 3-2 loss to World Cup holders Spain at Wembley. And, with perhaps something to prove according to Tuchel, Alexander-Arnold did exactly that in one world-class moment that might convince his coach to train his sights on what he can do rather than what he cannot.
It is time, in other words, for Tuchel to offer Alexander-Arnold some trust. Who continues to show how important they are? England player ratings Kane and Gordon give England win over Czech Republic in Nations League England, despite being in control, were toiling against the 10-man Czechs, who had seen danger man Pavel Sulc sent off after only 25 minutes for a reckless challenge on Elliot Anderson.
It was then, two minutes after the break, that Alexander-Arnold delivered a moment beyond those Tuchel has chosen ahead of him at right-back to pierce that stubborn resistance. The player now officially known as "Trent", according to the name on the back of his shirt, had already made a 70-yard run into an attacking position in an attempt to increase England's attacking options. When the move broke down, he regained possession before unfurling a magnificent right-foot delivery that floated in a teasing arc beyond three Czech defenders for Anthony Gordon to score with a stooping header that he made look far easier than it actually was.
Of course, Tuchel may still harbour those reservations about Alexander-Arnold's defending, and they were not put to the test here, but these few seconds showed exactly what he is about and what he can rightly argue is his unique selling point. The defensive questions must wait for another day. The answers, whenever they come, would appear to shape Tuchel's thinking and Alexander-Arnold's England career, but he deserves the opportunity to provide them.
A delighted Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live: "He (Alexander-Arnold) did very well. He had an excellent assist. Overall, like everyone, he was professional, top attitude and one decisive action." He added: "We never doubted that he can produce these kinds of assists.
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