Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood has revealed his surprise after England head coach Thomas Tuchel decided to leave out Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold while including Arsenal defender Ben White in the latest national team selection. The England manager recently announced his squad list ahead of the upcoming international friendly matches against Japan and Uruguay, but the absence of Alexander-Arnold quickly became one of the most talked-about decisions among football fans and analysts. Despite being one of the most recognized defenders currently playing for Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold’s name was missing from the squad list released by Tuchel, a move that many observers described as unexpected considering the player’s experience and quality at the highest level of football. Speaking during a discussion with Sky Sports, Sherwood openly admitted that he did not see the decision coming. According to him, the exclusion was surprising, especially when compared with the number of players that were included in the selection. Sherwood explained that Tuchel had called up a large group of players for the upcoming fixtures, yet Alexander-Arnold was still not part of the squad. He stated that while he was happy to see Ben White earn a place in the team, the absence of the Real Madrid defender raised questions. He further commented that the decision felt unusual from his perspective, adding that it is difficult to understand the reasoning behind it. However, Sherwood also acknowledged that the final choice always belongs to the manager, and Tuchel has the authority to select the players he believes are best suited for his tactical plans. The discussion surrounding the England squad continues to generate reactions across the football community, with supporters and pundits sharing different opinions about whether Alexander-Arnold should have been included ahead of the upcoming international matches. Such selection decisions often create debate, especially when well-known players are left out, and this situation has once again highlighted how competitive the England national team squad has become under Tuchel’s leadership.
