Trent Alexander-Arnold could play a huge role in England’s chances of success at Euro 2024 this summer.
That’s according to former Three Lions boss Glenn Hoddle, who raved about the Liverpool star after his goal in the 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday.
Alexander-Arnold was selected in Gareth Southgate’s preliminary squad for the Euros, which has to be cut from 33 players to 26 by Friday.
The Liverpool defender, who was listed as a midfielder, is highly likely to be on the plane to Germany for his second major tournament with England.
And Hoddle, who managed the side from 1996 to 1999, believes the 25-year-old will prove key for Southgate and co at Euro 2024 in a midfield role.
Speaking on talkSPORT Drive on Wednesday, he said: “Well I think it was really interesting that Gareth played him in that game [3-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina], albeit a friendly, but in that central position.
“I think he’s having one little eye on that and thinking, ‘Well, he goes in there for Liverpool, but maybe, can we play him in there?’ Because you’re right, him and [Kevin] De Bruyne are probably the best passers in the division, in the Premier League.
“He hits balls, he hits world-class balls that nobody else can pass, half of them, half the people can’t even see those passes let alone perform them and pass them.
“So to have such a talent like that and not use him… don’t forget, this Euros will won by a team that’s got the deepest and the best squad. Not necessarily the team that starts, and I think Trent’s going to have a massive say in it, I really do.
“Because of his passing, because of the defensive side that we’ve got and the movement that we’ve got, the cleverness that we’ve got going forward, I think he’s looked at him in that central midfield.”
However, Hoddle admits Southgate will need to trust in Alexander-Arnold’s defensive qualities, which have been called into question on occasion.
Hoddle added: “If he can trust him defensively, and I think it’s easier in that central midfield to pick up runners and you see them coming on, rather than being one-v-one out wide and getting on the cover, which sometimes he’s late getting on the cover…
“I think he could play in that role, even if he wants to play two in there because I think he does need to protect the defence at the moment. I would love, personally, if our defence was fit and able and flying, I’d love to play Rice and two others in there.”
Alexander-Arnold could also feature in their second friendly against Iceland on Friday night, which is live on talkSPORT.
talkSPORT understands midfielders James Maddison and Curtis Jones have already been axed from the squad, with defender Jarell Quansah and goalkeeper James Trafford likely to follow.
It leaves Southgate with three outfield players left to cut.
Southgate will not just have Alexander-Arnold to choose from in midfield, with Declan Rice, Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton also in the preliminary squad.
Jude Bellingham is also a midfielder but has been listed as an attacker, with England having plenty of options across the pitch.
The Three Lions’ first match at Euro 2024 comes against Serbia on June 16, with Denmark and Slovenia their other Group C opponents.
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