Rooney calls for Alexander-Arnold England return

Rooney calls for Alexander-Arnold England return

Wayne Rooney has called for Trent Alexander-Arnold to be recalled to the England squad this summer.

The Real Madrid right-back was a headline omission from March’s camp, as Thomas Tuchel ran the rule over other options. Despite the absence of Reece James through injury, Tuchel selected Arsenal’s Ben White, Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, and Tottenham’s Djed Spence ahead of Alexander-Arnold.

Rooney has admitted he was left baffled by that decision and has urged Tuchel into a re-think.

“No disrespect to Ben White – I think he’s a fantastic player – but for him to be in the squad and playing ahead of Trent is mind-boggling,” Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Podcast.

Former England defender Phil Jagielka expressed his belief that Alexander-Arnold could still be selected for the World Cup. He said the 27-year-old should be on the plane if he can find some form, but admitted he would start Chelsea captain James as his first-choice.

“I think he probably still makes it,” Jagielka said.

“You need your best players. If [Alexander-Arnold] proves he can play half as well as he played for most of his time at , he’s definitely worth taking on the plane. If Reece James is fit, you put him in [at right-back].”