Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a disappointing week, receiving two devastating pieces of bad news in quick succession, both at Real Madrid and with the England national team.
Alexander-Arnold was dropped from the starting lineup for Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in La Liga’s 29th round due to a disciplinary violation for arriving late.
Because the English star was under internal disciplinary action, defender Dani Carvajal was chosen to start on the right flank in the Madrid derby. The 1998-born player was then only brought on as a substitute for the last 15 minutes.
Internal disciplinary violations led to Trent Alexander-Arnold being dropped from the starting lineup for Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in La Liga’s 29th round.
The Real Madrid defender has also been left out of England’s 35-man squad by coach Thomas Tuchel (right) for friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan.
This is a noteworthy development because the former Liverpool defender had shown promising signs while playing for Real Madrid in recent weeks.
After a difficult start at the Bernabeu, the English defender gradually got more playing time and began to establish a more secure place in the Real Madrid squad.
One of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s most notable achievements was his crucial role in Real Madrid’s victory over Manchester City in the Champions League round of 16.
That performance was seen as a sign that the 27-year-old defender is overcoming a difficult adaptation period at the Spanish royal club.
Another blow came when Alexander-Arnold was left out of England’s 35-man squad by manager Thomas Tuchel for the friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan.
![John Crosss] Gareth Southgate on Trent Alexander-Arnold potentially playing in midfield for England: “Well, let's see! You know that I think he is more than capable of playing there and it can](https://external-preview.redd.it/john-crosss-gareth-southgate-on-trent-alexander-arnold-v0-puHWlpYcpAMRD-ybs0Ib_sLT5suFXpTjdkAn9l3XOI4.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=42dc336c62f496359193adaf6361b7110440fe7b)
With this list still being narrowed down, his chances of making it into the final squad for the 2026 World Cup are becoming increasingly slim.
The German manager described the decision to drop Alexander-Arnold as “purely for professional reasons.”
The German manager has selected Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah, and Djed Spence as his right-back options.
Meanwhile, defender Reece James, who is often considered England’s first-choice defender at the moment, is currently injured.
The English defender joined the Spanish team in the summer of 2025. This season, across all competitions, he has made 21 appearances for Real Madrid, including 14 starts, encompassing 6 Champions League matches.
Thomas Tuchel’s “iron fist”: Phil Foden holds firm, Trent dropped from England squad
Thomas Tuchel has just carried out a major squad overhaul, announcing an expanded list of 35 players in preparation for two crucial friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan. This is seen as the final rigorous test before the season ends, where the German strategist directly conveys a message about discipline and actual performance rather than relying on past reputations.
Tuchel has just finalized the list of 35 players who will be called up for England’s upcoming friendly matches.
The gamble named Phil Foden and patience with Bellingham
The most controversial decision on this list is the inclusion of Phil Foden . The Manchester City star is experiencing the worst form crisis of his career, having not scored a goal since December 14, 2025. Furthermore, Foden has lost his place at the club, failing to play a single minute in both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
However, Tuchel still seems to favor Foden’s talent. He put him in direct competition with Cole Palmer to find the most deserving player for the 2026 World Cup plans. Besides him, Jude Bellingham is another “winner.” Despite recovering from a hamstring injury at Real Madrid, the midfielder was still called up, demonstrating his irreplaceable influence in the tactical system Tuchel is building.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shock and regrettable absences.
In contrast to Foden’s inclusion, Trent Alexander-Arnold received a cold shower when he was left out of the squad. Despite playing for Real Madrid, the defender failed to convince Tuchel of his defensive capabilities. The German strategist insisted this was a purely professional decision, prioritizing players with more solid defensive abilities such as Tino Livramento and Djed Spence .
Trent Alexander-Arnold was not called up.
Sharing the same fate as Trent is Ollie Watkins . The hero of EURO 2024 has been overlooked for the second consecutive time. Instead, Tuchel has placed his faith in Dominic Solanke and especially Dominic Calvert-Lewin . The Leeds United striker is having a breakout season with 10 goals, proving Tuchel’s philosophy of prioritizing players with real performance.
The rise of Manchester United and the fresh breeze from mid-table clubs.
This training camp has seen a strong return of Manchester United players. Kobbie Mainoo , freed from the tactical constraints of Ruben Amorim and shining under Michael Carrick , has for the first time received Tuchel’s trust. Center-back Harry Maguire also officially returned after a long absence, making the Red Devils one of the teams contributing the most players to the England squad.
Tuchel didn’t just stop at the big clubs; he also opened the door to players from mid-table teams. Names like James Garner (Everton), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), and Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) were given a chance. This clearly demonstrates the former Chelsea manager’s message: no position is untouchable.
Thomas Tuchel is sending a strong signal to all English players: whether you play for Real Madrid or a team battling relegation, only form and determination can guarantee a place in the World Cup squad in the USA next summer.