Alexander-Arnold gets England call as Hart, Wilshere axed
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been included in England’s 23-man squad for the World Cup as Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere were confirmed as the bigname casualties.
It was widely reported on Tuesday that England manager Gareth Southgate would leave out on-loan West Ham goalkeeper Joe Hart and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.
Both players will be missing from the England plane to the tournament in Russia next month, but Liverpool rightback Alexander-Arnold will be on the flight as Southgate opted for a youthful selection. He named Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope in place of Hart and called up Manchester City’s Fabian Delph, who can play at left-back or in midfield, to take over from Wilshere.
Chelsea defender Gary Cahill was included despite missing out in recent friendlies, while there was no place for Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana, who has recently returned from a lengthy injury lay-off.
Chelsea’s young midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has earned selection after an impressive season on loan at Crystal Palace.
“I believe this is a squad which we can be excited about,” Southgate said.
“It is a young group, but with some really important senior players so I feel the balance of the squad is good, both in terms of its experience, its character and also the positional balance.
“We have a lot of energy and athleticism in the team, but players that are equally comfortable in possession of the ball and I think people can see the style of play we’ve been looking to develop. “The selection process has been over months really, it’s not just been the last few weeks. We feel the team are improving and we want to continue that momentum.” England face Panama, Tunisia and Belgium in their World Cup group stage matches. Meanwhile, former captain Gary Lineker says England should write off the World Cup and use it as a chance to blood youngsters, predicting the side can become a “serious force” in world football. England head to Russia next month hoping to improve on a dismal 2014 campaign in Brazil and an embarrassing performance at Euro 2016.
The likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson have impressed this season, but former England striker Lineker feels Gareth Southgate’s side are short of top players.
“If I was Gareth Southgate I would sell this on youngsters,” he said at the BBC’s launch of their coverage of the tournament. “I would say this is an experience, take total pressure off them, say, ‘It is all about experience, we are not going to do particularly well, we are not going to win this World Cup’.
“I think people will buy that because in four years’ time we are going to be a serious force in world football, there’s no doubt about that. We have got some great young players.
“Just write it off, we haven’t realistically got a chance.”