Time for Tuchel to offer Alexander-Arnold some trust

Gordon, the grateful beneficiary of Alexander-Arnold's class, said: "I marque that tally clip clip again and lone a definite fig of players person that ability, method and bravery to beryllium consenting to marque the mistake trying that pass. That's wherefore he's truthful bully and I've been dying to play with him for that reason." "He's had his ain travel with England. He would've liked to person played much than helium has but he's been a large quality during this camp. I've truly enjoyed being astir him." Alexander-Arnold is a risk‑taker both defensively and offensively, yet Elliot Anderson (41) completed more passes in the final third than him (32), and only Anthony Gordon, with four, created more chances than the defender's three. Tuchel, it should be stated, is not without doubts concerning Alexander-Arnold. Who could forget – though many would wish to – Sir Gareth Southgate's ill‑fated attempt to deploy Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder at Euro 2024? It was abandoned after 54 minutes of England's second match against Denmark and never revived. More will be revealed if Tuchel persists with Alexander-Arnold against Croatia behind closed doors in Rijeka on Saturday – but this must be the moment to make or break for this lavishly talented player, who turns 28 on 7 October. If he cannot earn Tuchel's trust in this camp, and surely that one moment of game‑changing quality must be fixed in the head coach's mind, then one wonders if he ever will. Alexander-Arnold said: "It was amazing. It's ever an honour to correspond my country. It's been a agelong time, but I've ever believed I tin play for England. That content has ever been determination and it was astrom proving it astatine nine level. The manager gave maine a chance, present hopefully helium is blessed with however I played." How happy? Time, and Tuchel, will tell. Alexander-Arnold, however, could not have done any more as England, who secured the three points with skipper Harry Kane's 87th goal in 123 international appearances, got their Nations League campaign underway in Prague.