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Football London
Football London
Sport
Laurie Martin

Rio Ferdinand gives decisive verdict on Reece James vs Trent Alexander-Arnold debate

'Who is England's best right back?' is often a debate had among Premier League followers. The Three Lions have an abundance of high-quality options in the position, including Chelsea's Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker.

The Chelsea full-back was given the nod by Gareth Southgate in England's 1-0 defeat to Italy on Friday evening, with the 22-year-old selected over Alexander-Arnold, and Walker used at centre-back. It wasn't a great evening for James in what was a disappointing evening for England as they made it five games without a win.

James appears to have the upper-hand on Alexander-Arnold when it comes to a starting berth for the Three Lions with just under two months of Premier League action left until the start of the World Cup.

READ MORE: Timo Werner makes blunt three-word Chelsea admission following failed £45m transfer

In April, Rio Ferdinand said there was nothing between James and Alexander-Arnold, saying: "Reece James man, what a fantastic footballer. He’s the modern-day fullback, we talk about Trent Alexander-Arnold, he’s right up there with him.

"You can’t split them really, they bring so much to the game."

However, in his latest verdict on the two England stars, Ferdinand believes James is now ahead of Alexander-Arnold. While he believes the Liverpool full-back has a better passing range, the former Manchester United defender says James offers so much defensively and offensively.

"Reece James is ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold right now," Ferdinand told FIVE. "If I'm a winger, I look at who I don't want to play against more out of the two of them and it would be Reece James."

"I think physically Reece James can match people defensively and going forward is ridiculous. Trent Alexander-Arnold's passing I would say arguably is better over varied distances but I think Reece will score more goals. He's in there so much."

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