Wayne Rooney says there is ‘no way back’ for England star ahead of the World Cup

Wayne Rooney fears Thomas Tuchel has already discarded Trent Alexander-Arnold from his World Cup plans after his ‘incredible’ omission from England’s latest squad.

Tuchel opted to name an expanded 35-man for England’s final camp before the World Cup and the two upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

There was no space for Alexander-Arnold, however, and former England captain Rooney says the Real Madrid defender’s absence was a ‘big surprise’.

Alexander-Arnold has earned 34 international caps since making his Three Lions debut in 2018 and was used frequently by Sir Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024.

The 27-year-old won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup at boyhood club Liverpool before joining La Liga giants Real Madrid last summer.

Alexander-Arnold endured a difficult start to his time at the Bernabeu but has impressed recently and, according to Rooney, deserved a place in the expanded England squad.

‘The one big surprise, obviously, was Trent,’ Rooney said on his BBC podcast when asked for his take on Tuchel’s squad.

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‘I find it incredible that he’s not in a 35-man squad.

It didn’t sound like there was any way back for Trent in the squad, the way Thomas Tuchel spoke.

‘But he should be in that squad.

Look at his ability, his quality – I know he’s not the best defender, he’ll probably admit that himself.

‘But what he has on the ball is something no other English player has.

He’s been playing for Real Madrid recently and playing really well.

‘I think sometimes we judge players too quickly and I’ve been guilty of that myself.

You don’t know how difficult it was for him to go over there to settle in and he picked up a few injuries as well.

‘He’s had a run of games now and there’s no doubting his ability.

He’s as good on the ball as any player we’ve seen in the Premier League.

‘There’s an argument that he should start for England.

So to not have him in the squad, it feels a little bit deeper from Tuchel.

‘Now I know he’s close with Jude [Bellingham] and it looks like there’s been a few issues with Jude not being in the squad of late.

‘So maybe Tuchel feels there’s a clique there and he’s trying to split that up.

I don’t know, I don’t know what the reasons are.’
After naming a 35-man squad for England’s upcoming friendlies, Tuchel said: ‘It’s our the last camp [before the World Cup].

‘The last opportunity to impress and the last opportunity for players to compete for their ticket.’
When asked about Alexander-Arnold’s surprising omission, Tuchel said it was a ‘tough decision’ to omit the former Liverpool full-back.

‘I know what Trent can give us and I decided still to stick to the players with us,’ the ex-Chelsea manager said.

England’s first friendly against Uruguay is on Friday night, while they face Japan on Tuesday.

Both games are at Wembley.

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