Following England’s lackluster 1-1 draw with Denmark, Trent Alexander-Arnold faced criticism, despite the team’s struggles seeming more pronounced after his substitution. Roy Keane, never one to mince words, criticized the decision to play Alexander-Arnold in midfield, stating, “It’s a tough position. He’s come up short in both games.”
Alexander-Arnold was replaced by Conor Gallagher after 53 minutes, a change that did little to improve England’s performance. Southgate’s decision to experiment with Alexander-Arnold in a new role has raised questions about the coach’s strategy and utilization of the team’s talent.
“When you’ve been taken off in the two games; that’s not a good sign,’ Keane told ITV Sport.
‘I thought it was always a huge gamble to play him, a player who doesn’t play [that position] week in, week out for his club. I know people say he drifts in there for Liverpool, but drifting into a position and starting there are different.
“I’ve played in midfield, it’s a tough position. Physically, getting your distances… He’s come up short in the two games.
“Now it’s not all down to him. You’d probably have to put this on Gareth [Southgate]. It’s a huge gamble throwing a full back into the middle of the park. This is not against the French or the Spanish where they have tougher tests ahead. This is against two teams who we thought England would be fairly comfortable against and have lots of possession.
“It was a big ask for him and he’s not up to it.”
