Gary Lineker's Theories on Alexander-Arnold's England Snub and Real Madrid Benching
Gary Lineker, the former England captain and self-confessed admirer of Trent Alexander-Arnold, has put forward several theories regarding the player's recent exclusion from the national squad and his benching at Real Madrid. Lineker believes England manager Thomas Tuchel's decision to omit Alexander-Arnold from the squad suggests the manager "is not having him", while also acknowledging reports that Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa dropped the player for turning up late to training.
England Snub and Tuchel's Message
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker analysed the situation, noting that Alexander-Arnold's absence from the England squad, despite his recent playing time at Real Madrid, points to a potential rift with Tuchel. "It suggests to me that Tuchel's not having him," Lineker stated. He speculated that this could be a tactical move by Tuchel to send a message, similar to when Jude Bellingham was left out in October. However, Lineker expressed concern about the timing, emphasising that with the World Cup approaching, such decisions could impact team dynamics.
Lineker argued that even if Alexander-Arnold is not viewed as a starter due to defensive concerns, his exceptional passing and crossing abilities make him a valuable asset. "If you're 15 minutes to go and you're playing in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, or the semi-finals, and you're one-nil down, and he was on the bench, and you could put on that delivery and that passing ability, something completely different, I can't see why you wouldn't want that asset," he explained, highlighting the player's unique skills.
Real Madrid Benching and Late Training Rumours
Lineker also addressed rumours from Spanish newspaper Marca, which reported that Alexander-Arnold was benched for Real Madrid's derby against Atletico Madrid after arriving late to a training session late last week. While Arbeloa refused to confirm the reason, Alexander-Arnold started as a substitute but later came on to assist Vinicius Junior's winning goal. Lineker cautioned, "I don't know if that's true, but that's what Marca says," indicating uncertainty over the accuracy of the reports.
Despite the benching, Lineker praised Alexander-Arnold's performance, noting his impact off the bench. He reiterated his admiration for the player, saying, "I'm a huge Trent fan; he's given me a lot of joy watching him play, and his passing and his crossing over the years." This underscores the potential loss for England if Alexander-Arnold remains excluded.
Shearer's Perspective and Lineker's Rebuttal
Alan Shearer added to the discussion by questioning whether Tuchel might be concerned about the influence of Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham together in the squad. "Would there be a point in Tuchel's mind where he thinks that if those two together are not going to play, either of them or one of them or one of the other, then they have an influence on the squad?" Shearer pondered.
Lineker dismissed this idea as "bizarre", instead suggesting that Tuchel's actions might be purely about sending messages. He emphasised the talent of both players, stating, "What I do know is that they're two unbelievably talented and brilliant footballers that have delivered over recent seasons." Lineker concluded that only Tuchel knows the true reasons behind his selections, as "there's only one man who decides; he picks the squad, it's up to him."
In summary, Gary Lineker's analysis highlights the complexities behind Trent Alexander-Arnold's current situation, blending speculation on managerial decisions with factual reports from Real Madrid. His theories suggest a possible disconnect between Tuchel and the player, while also acknowledging the rumours surrounding the late training incident. As the World Cup nears, these developments could have significant implications for England's campaign and Alexander-Arnold's international future.
