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Trent Alexander-Arnold hails England rival Reece James: ‘He’s up there with the best in the league’

 (Charlie Gray)
(Charlie Gray)

Trent Alexander-Arnold has hailed Chelsea's Reece James and feels it will be a straight battle between the two of them to land the right wing-back spot for England at the Euros.

Gareth Southgate named five right-backs in his most recent England squad but, with Kyle Walker playing more centrally and Kieran Trippier able to play on the left wing, Alexander-Arnold sees James as his direct rival for a starting place next summer.

James made his full international debut in October and impressed Southgate enough to be included in November squad despite being suspended for the two competitive Nations League games after his red card following the final whistle against Denmark at Wembley.

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The 20-year-old has established himself as Chelsea’s first choice right-back this season and Alexander-Arnold rates his England rivals as one of the best in the Premier League.

"I remember him always being good for Chelsea youth teams, remember watching him in the Youth Cup," Alexander-Arnold told Standard Sport. "Chelsea is probably the hardest team to break into as a local lad and as a young English player. For him to be able to do that is a statement itself.

"He has shown since he came in over the last year or so that he is a good player, solid defensively and good going forward. He is an all-round right-back and probably up there with some of the best in the League. He is still young and has a lot to learn but as for his talent and potential he is a very good player.

"Competition for places is always exciting. It is always something that helps me, I think helps a lot of players get better. I think right-back is the most populated position for England, there are a lot of really good players going for one position so it is always going to cause headaches for the manager. I think there are maybe five, six who could easily play that position and do it to a high level. It is tough."

POOL/AFP via Getty Images
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Asked if he was ever surprised by the amount of players named in his position, Alexander-Arnold, speaking after announcing his partnership with sports nutrition brand Kinetica, said: "A little but I would say more so that me and Reece James are more out-and-out right-backs I would say.

"In the formation that we are playing currently the right wing-backs would probably be me and him, knowing that Kyle Walker can play right centre-back and Tripps sometimes plays left wing-back so I think with the versatility that we've got all four of us can play different positions quite comfortably. It is not the case of four going to one spot and three are going to be left out and not involved. At any given time three, or all four of us, could be on the pitch at the same time, that is the versatility we have."

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