Real Madrid News
Thomas Tuchel explains Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England recall after Real Madrid start: ‘His quality is indisputable’
Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in the England squad, with Thomas Tuchel handing the Real Madrid defender another opportunity to establish himself in the Three Lions setup.
The 27-year-old had been outside Tuchel’s plans for an extended period, with his last England appearance coming in June 2025.
His omission had also continued into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Tuchel chose alternative options at right-back.
A solid opening to the season under Jose Mourinho has now changed the situation.
Alexander-Arnold has featured in both right-back and midfield for Real Madrid and has done enough to earn his way back into the England picture.
The upcoming Nations League schedule gives him another chance to make an impression, with England set to face Spain, Czechia twice and Croatia during the international break.
Tuchel makes Trent’s position clear
Alexander-Arnold’s versatility has been one of the main talking points around his England career, particularly after Mourinho has used him in different positions.
Tuchel, though, suggested that the focus will be on the position the defender sees as his own. Asked whether Alexander-Arnold could be used in midfield during the international break, Tuchel explained,
“Trent feels the right side is his, and it’s now his time to claim it.”
The England manager also rejected the idea that Alexander-Arnold’s recall should automatically be interpreted as a reversal of every previous selection decision.
“The quality of Trent is indisputable. What I don’t want to go into is that you can’t be a winner of the World Cup if you are not selected.
“This would be for me, not logic. That doesn’t work like that for sure. There are steps to be take, the first is to be nominated, the next is to perform and then we go.”
Alexander-Arnold gets another chance with England
Tuchel stressed that Alexander-Arnold had never been permanently ruled out of his plans. Instead, the competition for places had previously gone in other directions.
“They had a good start to the season. They never did anything wrong. We just chose different players.
“So now it is a new competition. Some players, some positions have more injuries; some have fewer injuries.
“He was never off the list, he was never non-selectable for us and it is his chance to show, come to camp and be the best version of himself.
“He had a good start in two positions for Real Madrid and he comes as a right-back for us.”
That final point is particularly relevant. Alexander-Arnold may have shown his flexibility at Real Madrid, but Tuchel has brought him back into England primarily as a right-back.
For the Madrid defender, he now needs to perform well during the Nations League fixtures and make the case for a more permanent place in Tuchel’s plans.
Source: BBC
Real Madrid’s recent win over Villarreal certainly had its tense and controversial moments, most of them involving Vinicius Jr.
But the biggest silver lining for Los Blancos was Yan Diomande scoring his first goal for the club following his €140 million move from RB Leipzig.
Diomande’s slow start had made him a subject of much criticism in the media. In the first game after the international break, however, the forward opened his account, and he used the moment to pay tribute to his sister, who died at the age of 15, reports MARCA.
Diomande’s tribute to his late sister
On the hour mark, Federico Valverde slipped him through and the Ivorian finished low across goal for the game’s only strike.
Once VAR confirmed it, he walked away from his celebrating teammates, closed his eyes and broke down in tears, his gaze fixed on the sky.
He later explained the emotion in his post-match interview. “This means more than words can say. My first goal is for you, sister. Forever in my heart.”
Roxane died in 2025 at just 15, having believed in her brother long before anyone else did. From the age of ten she had acted as his biggest champion, and ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Diomande shared their story in a letter published in The Players’ Tribune.
“Everything I do on the field is for you,” he wrote.
Staking a claim for more minutes
Diomande’s goal against Villarreal also carried a lot of weight, in terms of his standing in the team.
“I’d been waiting for that first goal for a long time,” Diomande admitted on Real Madrid TV. His display offered a glimpse of his value, with four successful dribbles, the pace to stretch Villarreal and the movement to create space for Kylian Mbappe.
With Vinicius facing a possible and lengthened domestic suspension, the 19-year-old has a timely chance to claim a more prominent role.
He is also relishing a first taste of the Champions League. “It’s every child’s dream, and I’m very grateful to be doing it with Real Madrid.”
So it will be interesting to see whether or not Diomande gets more chances to perform in the coming matches, before Real Madrid prepare for the big fight against Barcelona.
