Trent Alexander-Arnold has been named in an England squad for Euro 2020 that includes four right-backs after Ollie Watkins, Mason Greenwood, James Ward-Prowse, Jesse Lingard, Aaron Ramsdale, Ben Godfrey and Ben White became the players to miss out on the tournament.
Greenwood withdrew to “recover fully from an underlying injury”, Manchester United said, but the other six were cut from the 33-man provisional squad at Gareth Southgate’s instigation. Alexander-Arnold has a place even though Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker and Reece James have also been included. England’s manager last week raised the prospect of using Alexander-Arnold in midfield, talking up the Liverpool player’s versatility, and revealed on Tuesday that he had told the player three weeks ago of his intention to include him.
Ward-Prowse was omitted despite Jordan Henderson not being at full fitness after groin surgery. Lingard excelled at West Ham after joining on loan from United but has not done enough to earn a spot. The goalkeeper Ramsdale was not expected to make final squad and nor were the defenders Godfrey and White in the absence of injuries.
England are, though, sweating on the fitness of Harry Maguire, who missed United’s defeat by Villarreal in the Europa League final last week. The centre-back is recovering from damaged ankle ligaments and is a doubt for England’s opener against Croatia on 13 June. Southgate will consider reverting to a back three if Maguire, one of his most important players, is out. That would mean James or Walker playing as a right-sided centre-back, giving Alexander-Arnold a chance of featuring at right wing-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold tweeted: “Always believe in yourself. Silence the
doubters.”
