Gareth Southgate’s handling of Trent Alexander-Arnold during the European Championship may have made Arne Slot’s life even more difficult.
The fullback is set to enjoy some time off before linking up with the ex-Feyenoord boss’ squad for pre-season training.
His national boss’ misguided experimentation with a midfield role, however, coupled with a refusal to carve a space for the No.66 in the starting-XI will have hardly boosted the defender’s confidence levels.
Neither will Southgate’s private discussion with the international No.8 have helped, with the defender effectively consigned to a squad role during England’s run to the Euros final.
“There were players Southgate felt he had to take aside. They included Alexander-Arnold, who had been cast aside after two games in midfield, and Gallagher, who was deeply disappointed at being substituted at half-time against Slovenia,” Oliver Kay wrote for The Athletic.
Southgate assured both players they would still have important contributions to make, even if they were from the bench.
He was pleased by both players’ response over the rest of the tournament.The Three Lions succumbed to a deserved 2-1 defeat at the hands of Luis de la Fuente’s men in Germany.
