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England: 5 players Gareth Southgate absolutely must take to Euro 2021

By Richard Tynan

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: A general view of Wembley stadium advertising the Euro's football tournament on March 20, 2020 in London, England. Coronavirus (Covid-19) has spread to at least 182 countries, claiming over 10,000 lives and infecting almost 250,000. There have now been 3,269 diagnosed cases in the UK and 144 deaths. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: A general view of Wembley stadium advertising the Euro's football tournament on March 20, 2020 in London, England. Coronavirus (Covid-19) has spread to at least 182 countries, claiming over 10,000 lives and infecting almost 250,000. There have now been 3,269 diagnosed cases in the UK and 144 deaths. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /
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Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images ) /

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold is a player whose meteoric rise cannot be understated. At only 21 years of age he’s a Champions League winner and a Premier League winner-elect.

Having made just 1 competitive senior appearance for England (a 1-0 defeat to Belgium during the 2018 World Cup group stage) it’s probably time he was integrated into the team’s starting 11.

His competition at right-back, is two-fold.

Kieran Trippier: created the most chances (24) for the 2018 England World Cup side, breaking Bobby Charlton’s record of 18 which had stood since the 1966 World Cup.

Kyle Walker: 2-time Premier League winner with Man City, FA Cup winner and holds 48 senior England caps.

Another notable mention would be Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the young, upcoming Manchester United full-back.

However, in August 2019 Walker was dropped from the England squad for Euro qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo.

At the time though Southgate stated his desire to reintegrate Trippier to the side while dropping Walker.

In addition, he said of Wan-Bissaka:

"“We thought he had an outstanding season last season, but he should stay with the under-21 group.” – Gareth Southgate (quote via TalkSport)."

Therefore, we should expect Aaron to miss out on selection for the upcoming tournament or, at most, play a bit-part substitute’s role.

Consequentially, I would look to take Trent and Trippier to the Euros. Trippier can play at right-back and centre-back making him an ideal, versatile defender.

Couple this with both players potential for chance creation (with TAA having made 12 assists and 10 clean sheets in the league this season) and England’s attacking potential becomes almost unrivalled.

It also goes far to prepare England’s defence for almost any eventuality.

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