The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching, and the battle to be England’s starting right-back is intensifying.
Despite his obvious incredible ability, Trent Alexander-Arnold was often overlooked in this position during his Liverpool days. Many thought his move to Real Madrid would finally solidify him as the Three Lions’ starting right-back. But he’s not had it all his own way at the Santiago Bernabeu so far.
Alexander-Arnold has been in and out of the starting line-up in the Spanish capital, with injuries hindering his momentum.
All of that said, if fit, he’s one of the frontrunners to start at right-back for Thomas Tuchel. But who are his main rivals? We’ve ranked England’s top five options in this position based on their Squawka Score.
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1. Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Team: Real Madrid
- Squawka Score: 70%
We start with the man himself, who is surprisingly top of the pile with an impressive 70% Squawka Score. Granted, the sample size is small compared to other contenders. But Alexander-Arnold is still doing a lot of the things he built his reputation on.
Alexander-Arnold has created chances at a rate of 1.98 per 90 minutes in La Liga so far this season, while his 2.4 crosses completed per 90 is 0.65 clear of any Real Madrid player. All of that has translated to two assists in the competition.
However, there are still defensive misgivings from the Englishman. And the Spanish press — never shy to criticise — have let him know exactly how unimpressed they’ve been with him in this regard.
You have to feel for Alexander-Arnold a little, given how much scrutiny his move away from Liverpool drew, and injuries have consistently halted his momentum. However, there is so much quality at his disposal that he should be doing more.
All the tools are there for him to be England’s starting right-back. But he needs to win over the Real Madrid faithful first.
Read more: Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid star compared to England No.10 rivals as World Cup approaches
2. Reece James
- Team: Chelsea
- Squawka Score: 67%
While Alexander-Arnold is top of this ranking, Reece James is surely the favourite. The Chelsea man has already made six England appearances under Tuchel, registering a goal against Latvia and an assist against Andorra in World Cup qualifying.
James’ quality has never been in question. It’s his ability to stay fit that has been the issue. This season, though, he’s only missed five games through injury and has clocked up 35 games across all competitions scoring twice and providing six assists.
James is second only to Moises Caicedo among Chelsea players in the Premier League for tackles (47) and third for interceptions, while he’s also third for big chances created (7) and second for crosses completed (26).
We’ve always known James is the perfect two-way full-back, and now he’s proving fit enough to keep hold of the shirt.
3. Tino Livramento
- Team: Newcastle
- Squawka Score: 64%
Tino Livramento will feel like he has a very good chance of making the plane this summer, despite having just three caps to his name.
Two of those caps have come under Tuchel, including in that 5-0 thrashing of Serbia in September. Livramento operated as a left-back in that match, but still managed a 95% pass completion rate and one chance created, while making two tackles and five recoveries, and winning all four of his ground duels.
That’s another advantage with Livramento: his versatility to play on either side.
Like James, Livramento has had trouble staying fit. But when he is available, he significantly improves Newcastle United on both sides of the ball.
Can Livramento stay clear of the treatment table between now and the end of the season? If the answer is yes, then his quality and versatility will make him hard to turn away at passport control when Tuchel’s side jets out.
Outside bets: Kyle Walker-Peters, Jayden Bogle
The wildcards who will only really come into the conversation if the above players are injured, Kyle Walker-Peters and Jayden Bogle are both enjoying very solid seasons.
Walker-Peters has averaged 6.79 duels won, 3.2 tackles and 0.28 shots on target per 90 since joining West Ham on a free transfer from Southampton in the summer, proving he can offer value at both ends of the pitch.
Bogle, meanwhile, has two goals and an assist across all competitions for Leeds this season, while averaging 2.22 touches in the opposition box and 0.51 possessions won in the final third per 90.
Both hit 53% on the Squawka Score, and while the chances of them being called up are incredibly slim, they’ll provide solid options for Tuchel in a crisis.
How do Squawka ratings work?
Squawka’s new player rating system is completely stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.
Using extensive research and our expertise, we tailored each score to the players’ respective positions. For example, forwards are rated on metrics like shots on target, touches in the opposition box, and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes and so on.