The two dilemmas named Alexander-Arnold and Bellingham in the England national team

19/11/2025 07:59:00 SportScoop

Entering the preparation phase for the 2026 World Cup, the England team demonstrates impressive form with a flawless qualifying record, scoring 22 goals and conceding none.

However, behind this success lie critical questions that coach Thomas Tuchel must resolve if he wants to realize his ambitions in North America. Two of these concerns directly involve some of England’s most gifted stars: Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham.

The paradox of Alexander-Arnold

At 27, considered the prime of his career, Alexander-Arnold should be one of England’s key players for the upcoming World Cup. Having moved to Real Madrid last summer, he was expected to succeed Dani Carvajal. Yet, the paradox is that instead of becoming a crucial figure, Alexander-Arnold is gradually becoming a secondary option at both club and national team levels.

Under Thomas Tuchel, he has only played 23 minutes in a dull win against Andorra. His absence from the September and October call-ups can be partly attributed to injury, but being completely ignored in the two decisive qualifiers against Serbia and Albania is a clearer indication that Tuchel does not trust him.

The concerning situation extends beyond the national team. At Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold faces even greater difficulties. Despite Carvajal’s long-term injury, coach Xabi Alonso frequently chooses Federico Valverde, a midfielder, to play as right-back. Preferring a player out of position highlights the alarmingly low confidence in Alexander-Arnold. From being a "star" upon arriving at Bernabeu, he has started only 3 matches and has yet to play a full 90 minutes this season.

This decline has led Tuchel to publicly admit that Alexander-Arnold currently ranks behind Reece James, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence, and even Ezri Konsa, a center-back who performs reliably on the right side. When a center-back like Jarell Quansah is moved to right-back simply to reduce squad load yet still ranks above Alexander-Arnold, the issue is no longer purely technical but involves form, adaptation, and tactical suitability.

Tuchel even stated that he plans to personally travel to Madrid to meet Alexander-Arnold and frankly explain what he needs to improve. The German coach admitted he "hates phone calls," preferring face-to-face or video meetings to "clearly see the player’s emotions." This unusual step signals how fragile Alexander-Arnold’s future is in the 26-man World Cup squad.

Despite undeniable talent, Alexander-Arnold faces the risk of becoming "the forgotten man" at the most critical moment of his career.

Alexander-Arnold and Bellingham are currently out of favor with Tuchel in the England squad

Bellingham and the question of attitude

If Alexander-Arnold’s issue is technical and competition for position, Bellingham’s problem lies in attitude and discipline. When substituted late in the match against Albania, the 22-year-old immediately reacted strongly: waving his arms in frustration despite the team leading 2-0 and having just been cautioned for an unwise action. Tuchel did not avoid the issue after the match: "We don’t change decisions just because someone waves their arms. Behavior is key."

At 22, Bellingham is seen as a symbol of England’s new generation. He holds a central role at Real Madrid and once ranked third in the Ballon d’Or voting. However, in the national team, he is only one part of a system Tuchel has built, a system that demands discipline and sacrifice for the collective.

In the match against Albania, Bellingham played as a right-sided midfielder with freedom to move but appeared impatient, made inaccurate passes, and often acted on instinct rather than tactical structure. Even his link-up plays with Harry Kane were ineffective. When Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka came on, England’s play immediately became more fluid, proving that Bellingham’s position is no longer guaranteed.

Bellingham was previously excluded from the October squad by Tuchel to "reset his mentality." Upon his return, he remained under close watch. His reaction to a substitution decision only strengthened Tuchel’s view: no one is bigger than the team.

This is not the first time Bellingham has been cautioned about his behavior, from disputes with referees at Real Madrid to unnecessary tense moments on the pitch. Therefore, Tuchel’s warning is not temporary but a mandatory condition if Bellingham wishes to keep an important role on the journey to the US.

Tuchel has not abandoned Bellingham; rather, he clearly wants to help him become a more complete version of himself. But to achieve this, Bellingham must realize that his energy and strong personality need to be directed towards the team’s play, not impulsive reactions.

Vu Manh

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