Robbie Fowler has had his say on England’s right-back situation.
There seems to be an ongoing conundrum about whether Gareth Southgate should opt for Kyle Walker or for Trent Alexander-Arnold in the position at the ongoing European Championship.
So far, Southgate has entrusted Walker to do the job and the veteran is yet to let him down in his three starts at Euro 2024.
But it seems like the Three Lions boss has realised that England sorely miss a creative spark in their side — which could have led him to moving the Manchester City captain to left-back to bring Alexander-Arnold off the bench to play at right-back in his side’s latest 0-0 draw against Slovenia.
Robbie Fowler settles Kyle Walker vs Trent Alexander-Arnold as England face Slovakia
England are set to face Slovakia in the Round of 16 at Euro 2024 on Sunday night and it will be interesting to see which right-back Southgate opts to start.
The £50 million man is a player who has proven time and again that he is tailor-made for tournament football — whether that is for Manchester City or England over the years.
Especially in comparison to Alexander-Arnold, whose presence at right-back could add a sense of vulnerability to the English backline due to his struggles when going toe-to-toe with direct wingers.
It’s safe to say that Gareth Southgate has a massive decision on his hands.
According to Robbie Fowler, the England boss should opt for Alexander-Arnold over Walker as his right-back of choice due to the former being a superior creator.
The Liverpool legend initially told The Sunday Mirror (page 77, 30/06/2024): “Trent Alexander-Arnold in central midfield didn’t work. And now the Liverpool full-back appears to be paying an unfair price for the experiment that failed.”
“The time for trying major experiments and taking major risks isn’t during a major tournament. That’s what the friendlies are for.”
“England have been unable to access the flanks because Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka both instinctively come inside so they can get onto their strongest foot.”
Fowler added: “If [Gareth] Southgate is going to persevere with that formation, then he has to get Alexander-Arnold in the team to provide natural width and an attacking threat.”
“No, Trent isn’t as good as Kyle Walker defensively. But the quality of crosses and his passes alone are worth a place in his team.”
Unlikely that Gareth Southgate drops Kyle Walker
Perhaps Gareth Southgate agrees with Robbie Fowler and starts Alexander-Arnold at right-back but it seems unlikely that Walker will lose his place in England’s backline entirely.
Southgate could perhaps hark back to his experiment of utilising the 34-year-old as a makeshift left-back for Sunday’s clash.
But it seems highly unlikely that the six-time Premier League winner, who remains one of the best defensive full-backs in the world and a thoroughbred winner is dropped by a manager who has relied on him since his appointment in 2016.
Since his time as England manager, Gareth Southgate has shown that there are a core group of players who he will always rely on, namely, Harry Kane, John Stones, Declan Rice, Jordan Pickford and Bukayo Saka — the former Tottenham Hotspur right-back is one of them.