Trent Alexander-Arnold surprises by being left out of the England squad.

Thomas Tuchel shook up the landscape of English football by announcing the squad for the national team, leaving fans and experts in shock with some high-profile absences. Cole Palmer and Phil Foden dominated the initial debate, but the real bombshell was the exclusion of Trent Alexander-Arnold, a name that until recently seemed untouchable for the Three Lions. Why this decision? Let’s dissect this case that has generated a lot of ink.

While players like Jarrod Bowen and Harry Maguire maintained their places despite less favorable circumstances, Trent was left out. The former Liverpool prodigy, known for his precise deliveries and athletic ability, seems to have lost his shine in Tuchel’s eyes. The big question is whether this exclusion is due to a fair assessment or a forgetfulness caused by his move to Real Madrid.

In the 2025/26 season, Alexander-Arnold’s performance in Madrid was, at best, inconsistent. Although the “Merengues” did not shine, the right-back had some statistical improvements compared to the previous season at Liverpool. For example, he increased his average successful crosses to 1.38 per game, surpassing the 1.27 from the 2024/25 season. He also slightly improved in defensive duels, with a success rate of 46.67%, up from 44.44% at Anfield. However, these positives were not enough to offset his physical problems—an injury to his calf and another to his thigh caused him to miss 21 games, compromising the consistency needed to showcase his full potential.

In the attack, the situation was disappointing. Only five assists in 30 games make it clear that Trent was unable to replicate the offensive influence he had at Liverpool. Defensive numbers also dropped — only 5.37 defensive duels won per game, compared to 8.21 last season at Anfield, and ball recoveries fell from 7.19 to 5.78 per match. Offensive creativity also suffered, with successful passes in the final third decreasing from 7.99 to 5.28 per game and key passes dropping from 0.72 to 0.64.

On Tuchel’s side, the decision seems clear: the German coach is not willing to take risks with a player who has not offered guarantees in Madrid. Alexander-Arnold was used for only 26 minutes in a qualifying match against Andorra, and then… silence. The English national team, without Trent, has been a resounding success: eight games, eight wins, and no defeats. An impressive record that makes it difficult to justify the inclusion of a player who does not contribute what is necessary to maintain this winning streak.

What is clear is that, for Tuchel, the motto “you don’t change a winning team” is sacred. Trent Alexander-Arnold, once a rising star and icon of the national team, now finds himself at a crossroads in his career. Will he be able to regain his place in the hearts of the Three Lions? For now, the answer seems to be no, and Tuchel’s decision, as controversial as it may be, is solidly based on the numbers and results that the team has been delivering. English football is undergoing a transformation, and Trent, unfortunately, appears to be outside of this new era.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.