In the world of football, decisions made by coaches often stir up debates among fans and pundits alike. One such decision that has recently sparked a conversation is Gareth Southgate's choice to overlook Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland. This article aims to delve into this topic, focusing on the perspective of former professional footballer Jamie Carragher.
England is set to face Switzerland on Saturday, and much to everyone's surprise, Kieran Trippier has been chosen as the right wing-back over Trent Alexander-Arnold. This decision was announced after Southgate decided to change England’s formation from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-3 for the match in Dusseldorf.
Kyle Walker’s change can dynamics
Kyle Walker had been England’s starting right-back in the tournament’s first four games. However, Southgate now prefers deploying him as a central defender in a three-man backline. This shift left an open position for either Newcastle captain Trippier or Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Despite Trippier having played at left-back earlier in the summer, he was selected over Alexander-Arnold who had started England’s first two Euro group stage matches in central midfield but primarily plays as a right-back for his club.
Southgate’s decision can backfire
Jamie Carragher expressed his disbelief upon learning about this decision during Sky Sports' coverage of Saturday's team news. He firmly believes that it should have been Alexander-Arnold taking up the role of right wing-back instead of Trippier.
Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher, said:
“He’s picked him over Trent Alexander-Arnold, which I just cannot fathom at all. I mean, that’s not the Liverpool fan in me. For a long time, I’ve always felt it was right that Kyle Walker played right back for England."
“I thought it was right that Gareth experimented with Trent in midfield because he’s got, obviously, world-class ability on the ball. It didn’t quite work and he had to be taken out of the team. But the reason that you’d play Trippier over Trent, I just can’t get my head around."
“The only reason would be that Kieran has played maybe a few more games, maybe he trusts him. But when you say defensively, the whole point of playing three at the back is to release your wing backs."
“And you’ve got Kyle Walker behind you, he’s the quickest player in the squad to mop up anything if you get caught out defensively. So to not put Trent in that position, I cannot believe that one. I must be honest, I can’t. I can only imagine where his head is right now in this tournament. But Kieran Trippier is a player who Gareth trusts, he puts him in."
“Whether it be left back, right back, right wing back, left wing back, he always seems to find a place for him. But I would have played Trent in that position."
The key points from this situation include Gareth Southgate choosing Kieran Trippier over Trent Alexander-Arnold as right wing-back; changing formation from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-3; moving Kyle Walker, previously the starting right-back, to a central defender position; and Jamie Carragher's belief that Alexander-Arnold should have been chosen for the right wing-back role.
The decision to overlook Trent Alexander-Arnold in favor of Kieran Trippier has certainly stirred up a debate among sports fans and pundits. While Southgate's strategy may be justified from his perspective, it is clear that not everyone agrees with his choice. As England vs Switzerland on Saturday, all eyes will be on the performance of Trippier as he steps into this crucial role.
