How Deep Is Alexander-Arnold in England's Pecking Order? Answer: Painfully Far

It's a curious exercise, but one worth entertaining: if you had to field multiple England XIs without repeating a single player, precisely how many squads would you need to assemble before Trent Alexander-Arnold finally got a look-in?

The uncomfortable answer, based on Thomas Tuchel's recent selections, suggests he'd be waiting rather a long time indeed.

The First XI Practically Picks Itself

The spine of England's starting lineup requires little deliberation. Bellingham's fitness remains a consideration given his adjustment to life under Tuchel, yet his tournament experience and the relative struggles of his rivals for the number ten shirt keep him favourite for the role. Elsewhere, the selection feels almost predetermined—barring perhaps the emergence of Nico O'Reilly as a genuine contender following his Carabao Cup success.

The Second String Steps Up

Should illness strike the first choice before kick-off, this ensemble would shoulder the burden without embarrassment. The runners-up in each positional battle are dotted throughout: your Rashfords and Whartons, those accomplished Newcastle full-backs who graduated from Chelsea's academy. There's something rather nostalgic about the defensive partnership available—enough experience in the centre-back slots to make one wonder if there's almost too much of it.

The Third XI Dips into the Academy Well

Competition for midfield berths appears fierce, yet both James Garner and Kobbie Mainoo wait in reserve. The forward line carries a distinctly Arsenal hue, which rather illuminates Cole Palmer's dramatic fall from favour when not engaged in philosophical discussions with referees about how they both ended up in such predicaments.

A Fourth Tier Reveals the Depth

Folen's recent form has been nothing short of concerning—no goals since mid-December and just a solitary assist in that stretch—rendering his trial as Kane's centre-forward backup increasingly academic. Alex Scott's omission from Tuchel's latest squad compounds her misfortune, while Ben White's return to consideration speaks volumes about Alexander-Arnold's current standing. The right-back has been demoted so thoroughly that even White, who famously bristles at enquiries about his love for the sport, now ranks ahead of him.

The Fifth Tier Calls Upon Experience

Enter Kyle Walker, the recently retired veteran who's left the door deliberately ajar. "I'd be available, obviously," he declared when asked about emergency recall. "For me to say no to my country, I'd never do that. But I need to close the book. I'm not leaving with one right-back and saying, 'I'm out of here'. It's not a position that's short. I feel the cover they've got in my position is more than adequate to go on and win a tournament."

Yet even with Walker's reluctance to commit, he'd likely prove a more palatable option than Alexander-Arnold—a player with genuine tournament pedigree, regular football under his belt, and a more recent England appearance. Walker and the timeless Danny Welbeck would presumably dominate any dressing-room playlist.

And yes, that's Jaidon Anthony in this tier too.

The Sixth XI: Where Alexander-Arnold Finally Emerges

Here we arrive at the most expensive uncapped English player in history, a one-cap-one-goal specialist, an Arsenal teenager on the right flank—just not the one you might expect. And there, at last, is Alexander-Arnold himself, seemingly "utterly wasted" in the manner Scholes once was, though hopefully heading toward a considerably quieter retirement.

The Real Madrid defender remains a footballer of undeniable talent, yet one whose gifts have proven devilishly difficult to deploy at international level. Whether it's Tuchel's tactical preferences or something more fundamental about Alexander-Arnold's suitability for tournament football, the message from the England setup is unmistakable: he's not the answer they're looking for.