Tuchel urges Palmer and Alexander-Arnold to ‘prove themselves’ after earning England recall
· Yahoo Sports
Thomas Tuchel has challenged Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer to prove themselves after earning recalls to the England squad.
Alexander-Arnold is back in the Three Lions set-up after missing the World Cup, while Palmer has also returned following an impressive start to the season with Chelsea.
Visit een-wit.pl for more information.
Tuchel made clear that Alexander-Arnold, who has featured in two different positions for Real Madrid this season, will be considered as a right-back for England and must now fight for his place.
“Perform, that’s just what it is,” Tuchel said when asked what Alexander-Arnold needs to do to earn his trust at right-back.
“It is a competition and I understand the question because he was not with us at the World Cup. We trusted other players.
“I still stick with this decision and it is now time to fight for his place. He always said he is up for a fight, he always said he is up to fight for his place, especially for England, so it is on him to prove and he is more than welcome in camp.
“We have a long camp and I am sure he will show up.”
Tuchel insisted neither Alexander-Arnold nor Palmer had previously done anything wrong, explaining that other players had simply been preferred.
But the England boss believes both now have an opportunity to make their case after strong starts to the campaign.
“They had a good start to the season,” he said. “They never did something wrong. We just chose different players.
“So now it is a new competition. Some players, some positions have more injuries, some have less injuries.
“But Cole has his start that he always had, but he has his numbers back, he has his assists back, he has decisive goals back, so that is why he is in the squad.
“I think he has a point to prove and the same goes for Trent.
“He was never off the list, he was never non-selectable for us and it is his chance to show, come to camp and be the best version of himself.
“He had a good start in two positions for Real Madrid and he comes as a right-back for us.”