Former England boss Fabio Capello selects Trent Alexander-Arnold in his All-Star World Cup XI, despite uncertainty over whether he will even MAKE Gareth Southgate’s final squad… as Phil Foden is also in the Italian’s team
- Former England boss Fabio Capello has selected his ideal World Cup team
- Trent Alexander-Arnold made it despite being out of favour for the Three Lions
- Man City star Phil Foden was also selected by the Italian boss in his front three
- Legendary manager Arrigo Sacchi similarly picked Alexander-Arnold in his side
- Click here for all the latest World Cup 2022 news and updates
Former England manager Fabio Capello has picked Trent Alexander-Arnold in his ideal World Cup XI, despite question marks over whether the Liverpool full-back will even make Gareth Southgate’s final squad.
Despite being in scintilating form for Liverpool over the past five years, Alexander-Arnold has had a difficult relationship with the England team with the 24-year-old racking up just 17 caps for the national team since making his debut in 2018.
The full-back has struggled for form so far this campaign for Jurgen Klopp’s side and failed to play a single minute during the most recent international break in September.
Former England boss Fabio Capello picked Trent Alexander-Arnold in his ideal World Cup XI
His cause has not been helped by England’s plethora of options at right-back with Reece James, Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier all seemingly ahead of Alexander-Arnold in Southgate’s thoughts.
However, with James and Walker both picking up injuries that have raised significant doubts about their hopes of featuring at the World Cup, Alexander-Arnold’s chances of making an impact in Qatar have increased, with previous speculation he would fail to even make Southgate’s 26-man final squad.
But Capello, who coached the Three Lions from 2007-2012, is clearly a fan of the Liverpool star, and selected him in his ‘ideal World Cup XI’.
The Italian managed England from 2007-2012 and oversaw England’s embarassing defeat to Germany at the 2010 World Cup
After being asked by Italian outlet La Gazzetta Dello Sport to select his team, he included Alexander-Arnold and fellow Englishman Phil Foden.
Lining up in a 4-3-3 formation, Capello selected Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while Virgil van Dijk, Marquinhos and Alphonso Davies joined Alexander-Arnold in defence.
His midfield three included former Real Madrid teammates Casemiro and Luka Modric, alongside Kevin De Bruyne. Up-front Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema joined Foden, who was preferred to players such as Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Alexander-Arnold’s England teammate Phil Foden was also picked by Capello in his team
Legendary Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi also chose his World Cup XI and similarly selected Alexander-Arnold in his defence.
Alexander-Arnold was forced to withdraw from England’s Euro 2020 squad just eight days before the tournament began after suffering a thigh injury during a pre-tournament friendly.
The 23-year-old will hope to recapture his form for Liverpool over the coming weeks to ensure he nails down his place in the Three Lions squad for Qatar.