June 15th 2024.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, the talented Liverpool player, may be taking on a new role in England's midfield at the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament. However, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has expressed concerns to manager Gareth Southgate about this decision, warning that Alexander-Arnold may struggle against top teams and could potentially be "ripped to shreds."
Southgate has been experimenting with Alexander-Arnold in a midfield trio, alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, in preparation for their Group C opener against Serbia. While Alexander-Arnold's skills with the ball are undeniable, his weaknesses in defense have been scrutinized in recent years and may explain why he has not been a consistent starter under Southgate.
But despite these concerns, Alexander-Arnold is expected to earn his 26th cap for England if he is selected to play against Serbia. Keane believes that he will do well against lesser opponents like Serbia, but doubts that he will be able to hold his own against top teams such as France, Spain, or Germany, who have already made a strong start to the tournament.
"It's all about finding the right balance in the team," Keane shared while discussing England's upcoming match against Serbia on ITV Sport. "They have some incredible players, we've said that many times before. There are at least four or five players who could easily make it onto any team in this tournament. But it's important to find the right balance."
Despite his concerns, Keane believes that Alexander-Arnold's defensive abilities will be enough to handle Serbia in their first match. However, he is worried about how he will fare against tougher opponents in midfield. "In fact, I think he would be ripped to shreds if he plays against one of the better teams in central midfield. I don't think he would be up to it."
Gary Neville, a former United and England right-back, suggested that Chelsea's Conor Gallagher may be a key player for England in the coming weeks. He also addressed the criticism surrounding Phil Foden being placed on the left wing, stating that he is comfortable in that position and it is not a strange move for him.
Southgate has yet to make a final decision on his lineup for Sunday's match against Serbia. However, concerns about Alexander-Arnold's suitability in the midfield have been echoed by former England captain Wayne Rooney. On a recent episode of The Overlap, Rooney expressed his doubts about Alexander-Arnold's defensive abilities, stating that he would not trust him in the middle of the pitch.
"If we make it to the quarter-finals and we're playing against France, I highly doubt that Trent will be playing in midfield," Rooney shared. "I don't think Gareth trusts him enough to put him there, and I have my doubts as well. That's when we may see players like Conor Gallagher or Kobbie Mainoo taking on that role. I don't think he's reliable enough defensively to play there."
It seems that Southgate will have to carefully consider his tactics and lineup choices for each game, as he has done in previous tournaments. Only time will tell if Alexander-Arnold will be given the opportunity to prove himself in the midfield for England.
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