Arnold's Absence Haunts Tuchel Amidst Storm of Criticism in England

England manager Thomas Tuchel is facing increasing criticism for excluding right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, as the crisis in this position becomes more complicated during the 2026 World Cup, according to a report published by The Telegraph.

The newspaper asserts that this decision is no longer merely a "technical choice" but has turned into a point of media and public pressure on the German coach.

The report indicates that Alexander-Arnold, despite his good performances with Real Madrid, has remained out of Tuchel's plans since the start of his project with the national team. This is due to a tactical belief concerning his fit with a style of play that favors "specialist players" and defensive discipline over creative roles from the flanks.

This approach led the coach to prefer other names in the full-back position, even with injuries and pressure on the roster.

With what happened to Reece James and Livramento, who play the same position during the tournament, the debate intensified over the decision. Critics argue that the absence of a player with Arnold's playmaking abilities from the back could have provided England with additional attacking solutions in tightly contested matches, especially against teams that rely on defensive compactness.

The newspaper concludes by noting that this issue might "haunt" Tuchel if England fails to win the title, as the question of tactical choices and the refusal to call up one of the world's top players in his position will remain strongly posed, especially if the team later needs creativity from the center in the decisive stages.