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Gary Neville has singled out three players in the England 2022 World Cup squad as ‘generational talents’.
As reported by the Express, the former England international believes Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are all special players. All three were called up by England boss Gareth Southgate for his 2022 World Cup squad.
Liverpool right-back Alexander-Arnold has often come under fire for his defensive ability. He has been part of a shaky Reds defence this season.
Worrying club form was then highlighted on the international stage, with the defender omitted from the England squad for their final UEFA Nations League match against Germany earlier this year.
Over recent months, Southgate has instead opted for the likes of Kyle Walker, Reece James and Kieran Trippier. But with James out injured and Walker lacking match fitness, Alexander-Arnold has made the final 26-man cut for Qatar.
England defender Alexander-Arnold a ‘generational talent’
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Former England right-back Neville believes the Liverpool man is a generational talent, but surprisingly wouldn’t start him in a knockout game at the World Cup.
“I think Foden is that, Bellingham is that and I think, although we talk about him a lot, Trent Alexander-Arnold is that,” said Neville. “If you look at what he is in his position, there’s nothing like it in terms of delivery.
“Playing him as a right wing-back gives you the opportunity to get him into the team. You’d never play him at right-back, I don’t think, in a knockout game for England.
“But he may, if he starts that tournament well, and you’ve got [Kyle] Walker or [Ben] White behind him in that channel, they do get out there comfortably.”
“Not an ideal” defensive situation
With 85 caps, Neville is England’s most-capped right-back, with the defender representing his nation at two World Cups. He is predicting Southgate to retain the back three that he has relied on in previous matches.
“This is unique, no international manager has ever had four days going into a tournament, they’ve had four weeks to prepare,” said Neville.
“Gareth’s got to go there with what he’s built in the March friendlies and in the players’ minds, that’s why I’m going three at the back.
“I’d be amazed if Gareth went from three in the last few games to a four, he doesn’t trust a pair. Which pair would you put there and say you’d trust them? None of them are good enough.
“I don’t think he’s going to play him [Alexander-Arnold] as a right-back, I think right wing-back. It’s not ideal, the defensive situation.”
England blessed at right-back
Despite his defensive issues of late, Alexander-Arnold remains a huge threat going forward. But he isn’t the only talented option Southgate has, as Neville mentioned.
Trippier has been in stunning form for Newcastle this season. He has been key for the Magpies, who sit third in the Premier League and boast the joint-best defensive record. Moreover, their right-back has one goal and three assists to his name.
White meanwhile has been shining for Arsenal, with the Gunners the other team with that joint-best defensive record. Although a centre-back by trade, the versatile White has proven he is more than capable of filling in at right-back.
And while struggling with fitness, Manchester City’s Walker is another talented option that Southgate can call upon in Qatar.
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