The battle for the right-back job in England. Will Alexander-Arnold, Walker, or James be preferred?

The England national team has a very full squad, coach Gareth Southgate really has a lot to choose from. However, his biggest dilemma is on the right side of defence, where he has four top quality players at his disposal. Who will get priority?

Southgate is in for some sleepless nights. The right-back position will not let him sleep as he will have an extremely tough choice. He has Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, Kyle Walker from Manchester City, Reece James from Chelsea and Kierran Trippier from Newcastle.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

When it comes to attacking, TAA has the best command of that part of the game. The master of assists is Liverpool’s director of play, he is great at creating chances, has perfect centres, plays standard situations and is extremely dangerous offensively.

However, his huge weakness is defensively. Liverpool’s opponents often try to attack through his side, which is also where the Reds get a lot of their goals through, as Trent is forgetful in defence, doesn’t pick players up, simply gets passed one on one and that’s a big problem at the back.

Fans even made a compilation of Trent’s (non)defending from the season opener and it’s not pretty. Southgate didn’t nominate him for last year’s Euros for this very reason, this year’s poor start to the season may damage him again in the nomination.

Kyle Walker

The biggest certainty is Kyle Walker. The 32-year-old defender shows no signs of slowing down, still maintaining his high standards both at Manchester City and in the England national team. He is extremely quick, almost unbeatable defensively, while he can also help the team offensively, although he is not as strong at it as TAA or James.

Walker also has a lot of experience, Southgate has relied on him in every tournament. When England played with four defenders, Walker was at right-back, when the coach opted for a 3-5-2 formation, Walker slotted in at right-back, freeing up space for Trippier at half-back.

Reece James

Another hot candidate. Reece James has become one of the best halfbacks in the Premier League at Chelsea, he can support the attack brilliantly, but unlike Alexander-Arnold, he can also defend well. Moreover, Southgate has said about James that he has everything needed to become one of the best players in his position in the world.

If Southgate decides to play a 3-5-2 formation, he would move Walker to full-back and the half-back position could fall to James, who is used to it from Chelsea. In a classic four-man defence, however, Walker will probably have the upper hand.

Kieran Trippier

Southgate’s favourite must not be forgotten either. Kieran Trippier’s place in the England squad is virtually assured, the Three Lions coach has a lot of confidence in him and is even looking for a place in the line-up.

Trippier started last year’s EURO at left-back because of Walker, then in the knockout phase he started twice at right half-back in a 3-5-2 formation. He is having a good start to the season in Newcastle, playing in good form and there is one more fact in his favour.

But while there is a lot of pressure at right-back, England have the opposite problems at left-back. Luke Shaw, who secured that spot at the Euros last year and also scored a goal in the final, has dropped out of Manchester United’s squad and his position in Qatar is under a lot of threat. Ben Chillwel has returned from injury, but he is losing the battle for Chelsea’s place to Cucurella.

This opens up an opportunity for Trippier to jump in at left-back, where he has never let Southgate down.

Source: England national football team, Goal