Trent Alexander-Arnold is eager for a spot back in the England squad this week, although he admitted he hasn’t had a chance to speak with Thomas Tuchel “yet.”
Following a season that started with injury challenges at Real Madrid, the full-back has recently returned to top form, contributing to his team’s 5-1 aggregate victory against Manchester City to move on to the Champions League quarter-finals.
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Alexander-Arnold was left out of Tuchel’s squad for England’s World Cup qualifiers last August amid tough competition for the full-back positions, but he could be considered for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
Tuchel is set to announce his squad on Friday, and Alexander-Arnold’s chances of being selected have been enhanced by an injury to Chelsea captain Reece James.
Alexander-Arnold remains positive that he will receive a call from the England manager, eager for a chance to showcase his skills ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
“I haven’t spoken to him… yet,” the 27-year-old shared with Amazon Prime Video. “The squad is being announced this week, so I’m hopeful I’ll be included and get the opportunity to represent my country, which is always an honor.”
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The right-back has thrived recently under the guidance of Alvaro Arbeloa, a fellow former Liverpool right-back who took over from Xabi Alonso at the Bernabeu earlier this season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is hopeful of an England return (The FA via Getty Images)
After withstanding an early barrage of chances from Manchester City, Vinicius Jr scored twice for Real Madrid, helping them convert a 3-0 first-leg advantage into a straightforward progression, setting up a likely quarter-final clash against Bayern Munich.
“It’s the most critical phase of the season,” Alexander-Arnold remarked. “These matches are like cup finals. There’s a strong expectation at Real Madrid to excel in the Champions League and to win it. It’s part of the club’s identity. We thrive under that pressure, and it brings out the best in us.
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“It’s not just the star players who step up; young talents like Thiago Pitarch have also delivered fantastic performances lately. At a club of this stature, big players tend to shine in significant moments. Last week Fede [Valverde] showcased an unforgettable performance, and tonight Vini [Jr] proved he is world-class once more.
“Everyone contributed and defended valiantly. Over both legs, we deserved to advance.”