Anyone seeking a solution to the alarming rise in energy bills could perhaps do worse than to warm their home with the hot air spoken about Trent Alexander-Arnold in recent times.
Such has been the intense level of discourse over the perceived value of the Liverpool right-back, the conversation around whom has seemingly exceeded that of any other Premier League player. Well, until Cristiano Ronaldo opened his gob last weekend.
Almost daily, someone somewhere will offer a fresh take on the 24-year-old, most notably when it comes to his ability to defend and his role in the England squad. And the closer the World Cup has approached, so the debate has intensified.
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Now, though, the talking will, at least temporarily, stop as Gareth Southgate's side open Group B against Iran in Doha on Monday afternoon. And with Kyle Walker ruled out of the match and England hopeful of going deep into the tournament, there is a potential opportunity for Alexander-Arnold to win only his 18th cap for his country, more than four years after making his debut shortly before the last World Cup in Russia.
Unlike much of the kneejerk response from others, the Liverpool man is realistic about his international career to date. “Not the best football I’ve ever played, probably not the worst either," he said in a recent interview. “Just somewhere in the middle that is not amazing, but not the worst, really. It could be a lot better."
Of course, we've been here before, with Alexander-Arnold's inclusion in the squad for last summer's European Championships hotly disputed until, mere days after he made the cut, the Liverpool man was ruled out of the competition through injury.
It has been evident for some time Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland have not fathomed a way of harnessing the unique skill-set of Alexander-Arnold that has seen him long regarded as one of the best attacking right-backs in the world. The inherent caution of England's style of play means the emphasis has instead been placed on defensive responsibilities, the incessant scrutiny of which has put Alexander-Arnold at a perceived disadvantage. Lesser players are given a much easier ride.
Indeed, had Reece James of Chelsea been fit, there's every chance the Liverpool player's place in Qatar would have been under threat.
Injuries have been a contributing factor. But the fact is Southgate has rarely planned with Alexander-Arnold in mind, the defender appearing in just five of England's last 30 games, three of which were against Andorra, Albania and San Marino. Yet given the question marks over his rearguard attributes, in his last 10 outings for the Three Lions only two goals have been conceded.
Kieran Trippier, impressive for Newcastle United this season, is Southgate's first-choice on the right side of the defence - regardless of it being a back five or a four - while Ben White has emerged as an option due to his form with Arsenal.
Iran, though, could represent Alexander-Arnold's best chance of being handed a start in the early rounds. While both the United States and Wales are likely to be safety-first against England, they won't set out their stall to quite the extent Iran are expected to, inviting their opponents to break down a defence that has conceded just eight times in 19 games with a notable clean sheet against Uruguay - who started with Darwin Nunez and Luis Suarez - in September.
Southgate has stated England will need to be patient, a trait with which Alexander-Arnold has grown accustomed with Liverpool regularly asked to break down stubborn opposition intent on frustration over the past few seasons. And his ability to hit crosses from deep and switch play is key in moving a static defence out of position. England will most likely need such variation.
By his own admission, Alexander-Arnold hasn't been at his best this campaign, but there have been signs in recent games of a return to form. And while Trippier is the firm favourite to start the World Cup as England's right-back, it would be foolish for England not to consider Liverpool's assist king as they attempt to make a winning start in Qatar. If Alexander-Arnold is there, why not use him?
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