June 20th 2024.
During the recent match against Denmark, Trent Alexander-Arnold's experiment in the midfield position proved to be unsuccessful. This was declared by former footballer Roy Keane, who stated that the England star was "found out" during the game. It was a disappointing performance for the English team, as they once again failed to impress in the ongoing Euro 2024 campaign.
England's lackluster display continued on Thursday as they could only manage a dismal 1-1 draw with Denmark in Frankfurt. The performance of most players was below par, with Alexander-Arnold struggling in his new midfield role once again. Although he was able to create more chances than any other player, he was eventually substituted in the 54th minute for Conor Gallagher. This substitution indicated that the experiment with the 25-year-old did not go as planned.
Keane's opinion was shared by many, as they believed that it was a risky move to play Alexander-Arnold in a position where he does not play regularly for his club, Liverpool. While he may drift into that position during games, it is not the same as starting there and maintaining that role throughout the game. His lack of familiarity with the position was evident, as he struggled to keep up with the physical demands and distances required in midfield.
The former Manchester United and Ireland star also pointed out that the responsibility should not solely fall on Alexander-Arnold's shoulders, but also on the manager, Gareth Southgate. It was a huge gamble to put a full-back in a crucial position like midfield, especially against teams that England were expected to dominate and have more possession of the ball. Unfortunately, Alexander-Arnold was not able to rise to the occasion and his performance was not up to the mark.
With Alexander-Arnold's struggles in the midfield, the question arises whether he should start in the next game against Slovenia. Keane believes that he should not, as it is not just about what a player can do with the ball, but also their off-the-ball movements and positioning. These are crucial aspects of the game, especially at this level, and Alexander-Arnold was not able to keep up with the demands of the position.
Southgate will have to make a big decision regarding Alexander-Arnold's role in the team for the final Group C game against Slovenia next week. When asked about the player's performance against Denmark, he acknowledged that there were moments where Alexander-Arnold showed his potential in the midfield position. However, he also stated that it was an experiment and they are still searching for a natural replacement for Kalvin Philips. It is clear that the team's performance has not been up to their standards and they are still trying out different combinations in the hope of finding the right balance.
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