Manchester United legend Roy Keane don fire fresh shot for Real Madrid fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold after Champions League match. The talk dey hot as pundit and former players dey yarn about whether Trent fit make England World Cup squad this summer.
Alexander-Arnold play full 90 minutes for Real Madrid as dem collect 2-1 defeat from Bayern Munich for Champions League quarterfinal first leg. Keane, wey don dey criticize Trent since Liverpool days, talk say im don tire of dey hear de same story for every big match.
“Listen. I’m fed up,” Keane yarn. “The same story in every important match. People keep talking about how well the ball is passed, but what about the basics? Defending. At this level, in the Champions League, you can’t just switch off like that. It’s a childish mistake.”
The pundit point to how former Liverpool teammate Luis Díaz waka pass Trent like say defender no dey there. “Keep defending like he’s never played right-back in his life,” Keane add. “Important matches demand great defenders, and right now, he’s far from being one.”
But for de other side, another England legend David Beckham dey back Trent to become success for Real Madrid and believe say de defender suppose go World Cup with England. Beckham wey make similar move from Manchester United to Real Madrid for 2003, talk say im dey massive fan of Trent.
“I love Trent as a player,” Beckham tell talkSPORT. “I’ve heard so many times over the years when he was at Liverpool, when he’s at Madrid, when he’s playing for England, about, ‘Well, he’s not as good at defending as he is attacking’. Well, sometimes you have to accept that.”
Beckham compare am to Roberto Carlos, de legendary Brazilian left-back wey dey known for attacking play. “He’d always go forward, and then we’d have to cover him, so those kind of things you expect,” Beckham explain. “But with Trent, would I take him? I’d find it very hard not to take someone like Trent.”
For de Bayern match, Trent strengths and weaknesses show clear. De 27-year-old lose track of Luis Díaz for Bayern first goal, but later redeem himself with brilliant cross wey set up Kylian Mbappe goal for Real Madrid. That goal give Spanish side small hope for second leg next week.
England manager Thomas Tuchel dey watch de match from Bernabeu stadium. De Three Lions boss see Bayern win 2-1, with Harry Kane score for German side just 20 seconds after half-time. But Tuchel attention dey more on players wey dey fight for last spots for England World Cup squad.
Trent start for Madrid at right-back, even though im no dey for latest England squad. Ben White even get preference over am when Tuchel make changes to 35-man roster. Tuchel don talk before say im get concern about Trent defensive game, but im sabi say de player get attacking talent.
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa even use Fede Valverde for right wing to help Trent with defensive work, especially against Luis Díaz threat. De plan no work perfect as Díaz still manage to score after sneak behind Trent towards end of first half.
But second half, Trent show why im dey special. Im continue to threaten from set-pieces before deliver pinpoint cross wey find Mbappe for easy finish. De cross quality na top class, show say when Trent dey on form, im fit change game with one moment.
England selection headache dey real for right-back position. If Chelsea captain Reece James fit stay healthy, im likely go start. Tino Livramento dey interesting option too. But only James get similar attacking threat like Trent from dat position.
Dis performance no sure go convince Tuchel say Trent suppose start at right-back for England, but e show say im fit be important weapon for Three Lions. Against teams wey England go dominate possession for early tournament stages, Trent attacking quality fit be game-changer.
While Trent place for squad still dey debate, im Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham look sure to make World Cup trip. De 22-year-old midfielder come on for 62nd minute against Bayern and show energy and flair wey remind everyone why im dey important.
Bellingham marauding runs almost set up chances for Vinicius Jr and Mbappe. One wonderful through ball set up Mbappe for chance wey im suppose score, but Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer make brilliant save. De cameo show Bellingham still get de quality for biggest stage.
For England midfield, Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson look like Tuchel preferred deeper pairing. Morgan Rogers form earlier dis season give headache for number 10 position, but Bellingham performance remind say im fit be indispensable dis summer.
Rice, Anderson and Bellingham no offer same final-third quality as in-form Phil Foden or Cole Palmer, but with both players no dey peak form now, dat trio look likely to start England opener against Croatia for Dallas on 17 June.
Bellingham no get same eye for final pass as some international teammates, but im don prove say alongside im obvious talent, im get eye for goal and ability for standout moment. For both Madrid and England, im dey player wey teammates dey look up to when pressure dey high.
As World Cup dey approach, Tuchel get plenty to think about. Trent Alexander-Arnold performance show say im deserve at least squad consideration, while Bellingham cameo confirm im status as big-game player. De debate go continue until final squad announcement, but one thing clear: both players get qualities wey fit help England challenge for trophy dis summer.
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