Micah Richards has urged Gareth Southgate to unleash Trent Alexander-Arnold at the World Cup.
England have huge defensive problems going into the tournament, with Kyle Walker, Reece James, Ben Chilwell and John Stones suffering injury issues and Harry Maguire struggling at Manchester United. Richards hopes that will open the door for Liverpool right-back Alexander-Arnold to show his quality in Qatar.
The former Three Lions defender believes Southgate’s only chance of success in the desert is to take the handbrake off and allow his creative players to get on the front foot. And Richards believes Alexander-Arnold should be key to the England manager’s plans.
Richards said: “Trent is my favourite - I love him. Obviously, he has gone through a difficult patch at Liverpool but what he possesses going forward is ridiculous.
“I played at right-back - and what these boys are doing in that position now is just amazing. Gone are the days when your full-backs tried to keep things tight defensively and then got forward when you could.
“They start in forward positions now and are expected to create chances like wingers. Trent doesn’t only have to go - he has to play. International football is slower than the Premier League, so I think that will help him from a defensive point of view.
“England don’t press like Liverpool. They drop off and get into shape, so that would really suit Trent.” Richards added: “It isn’t great going into a tournament with so many injuries.
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“Walker, James, Chilwell and John Stones have all got problems and Harry Maguire hasn’t been a regular at United. Stones is my No.1 pick because he’s so suited to international football and he’s been amazing when he’s played.
“And if Kyle Walker is fit then he has to play because he can defend and attack. Ben White has caught my eye recently. He’s been very steady for Arsenal. And Kieran Tripper’s form for Newcastle has been ridiculous, so he can definitely do a job on the left.
“I just hope we don’t play three at the back because when England play that system, we always get pushed back and it becomes five at the back. Gareth also likes two defensive midfielders - so that would give us seven defensive players. I really don’t think we can win the World Cup playing like that.”
Richards was always renowned for his positivity during a career that realised Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup medals at Manchester City as well as 13 England caps. He also played for Fiorentina and Aston Villa before injury forced his retirement at the age of just 31.
Three years later, he has reinvented himself as an insightful media pundit - and has just released a book detailing his life so far. Richards is full of praise for the job Southgate has done for the country over the last six years.
But he hopes the England boss allows his creative players to express themselves at the World Cup. Richards said: “Gareth has got us to the World Cup semis and the finals of the Euros. He’s done really positive things with England.
“But going into this World Cup, we’ve got problems defensively, so surely we have to get on the front foot and attack? Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Jack Grealish. I’d also take James Maddison. Jude Bellingham - what a player he is.
“These players thrive in tight attacking areas. I look at other countries and I really don’t think they’ve got the options we’ve got going forward. Do I believe England have enough to win the World Cup? Only if they go on the attack.
“Southgate needs to get more strikers and attacking midfielders in the team because I don’t think we’re equipped to go to Qatar and try to defend.
“Hopefully our defenders can get minutes on the pitch in the group games - and if we get into the knock-outs you never know where the tournament can take you.”
The Game by Micah Richards (HarperNonFiction, £22) is out now.
