Gareth Southgate Reflects on England’s Intriguing Option: Trent Alexander-Arnold as a Midfielder
With the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament on the horizon, England manager Gareth Southgate is pondering a bold tactical move: deploying star right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in a midfield role. Alexander-Arnold has established himself as one of the most creative and influential full-backs in world football, but Southgate believes his unique skillset could also be a valuable asset in the center of the park. “Trent is an exceptional player with an incredible range of passing, crossing, and vision,” Southgate said. “He has the ability to unlock defenses in a way that few others can.” The decision to move Alexander-Arnold into midfield would address a long-standing issue for England: a lack of creativity and incisiveness in the final third. Despite boasting an array of attacking talent, the Three Lions have often struggled to break down stubborn defenses. Southgate believes Alexander-Arnold’s exceptional crossing ability could add an extra dimension to England’s attack. His pinpoint deliveries could reach the likes of Harry Kane, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka in dangerous positions. Furthermore, Alexander-Arnold’s intelligence, composure under pressure, and ability to dictate the tempo of the game would make him a valuable asset in midfield. He could provide a link between defense and attack, offering protection to the backline while also progressing the ball forward with purpose. However, the move is not without its risks. Alexander-Arnold is primarily a defender, and it remains to be seen whether he can adapt to the demands and responsibilities of a midfield role. Additionally, England would lose one of their most reliable full-backs, potentially creating a void in their defensive structure. Southgate would need to find a suitable replacement who can offer similar quality and consistency. Ultimately, the decision to deploy Alexander-Arnold in midfield will depend on the team’s needs, the availability of other players, and the manager’s tactical vision. But Southgate’s willingness to consider such a bold move is a testament to his forward-thinking approach and his belief in the versatility of his squad. As England prepare for Euro 2024, the possibility of Trent Alexander-Arnold playing in midfield is an intriguing prospect that could shape the team’s fortunes in the tournament.The provided HTML code snippet represents a portion of a web page that discusses the possibility of Gareth Southgate, the manager of the England national football team, choosing Trent Alexander-Arnold to play in midfield for England in their upcoming Euro 2024 match against Serbia.The provided HTML code snippet represents a portion of a web page that discusses the possibility of Gareth Southgate, the manager of the England national football team, choosing Trent Alexander-Arnold to play in midfield for England in their upcoming Euro 2024 match against Serbia. The code contains a `
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England manager Gareth Southgate is considering starting Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield at Euro 2024, as he reflects on the Three Lions’ huge decision. The Liverpool right-back has been one of England’s most consistent performers in recent years, but his lack of defensive prowess has seen him fall behind Kieran Trippier in the pecking order for the national team. However, Southgate is now considering a bold move that could see Alexander-Arnold start in midfield alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. “Trent is a very good footballer,” Southgate said. “He has great technical ability, he can pass the ball well, and he can create chances. “He is also very good at set pieces, which is a valuable asset to any team. “I am considering starting him in midfield at Euro 2024. He has the ability to play in that position, and I think he could be very effective there. “It would give us a different dimension in midfield, and it would allow us to be more creative in attack. “We have a lot of talented players in midfield, but Trent is a unique talent. He is the only player in the world who can play in that right-back position with such attacking freedom. “If we can find a way to get him on the ball more in midfield, then I think we will be a very dangerous team.” Alexander-Arnold has not played in midfield for Liverpool, but he has shown glimpses of his ability in that position for England. In a friendly against Switzerland in 2018, Alexander-Arnold played in a midfield three alongside Eric Dier and Harry Winks. He impressed with his passing range and his ability to create chances, and he even scored a goal. Southgate’s decision to start Alexander-Arnold in midfield would be a major gamble, but it could also pay off handsomely. If Alexander-Arnold can replicate his form for Liverpool in midfield for England, then the Three Lions could be one of the favorites to win Euro 2024.
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