Liverpool ace praises Chelsea youngster who will rival him for a spot in the England national team

Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold praises Chelsea’s Reece James

Speaking to Evening Standard, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has expressed his admiration for Chelsea youngster Reece James and feels it will down to the two of them to land the right wing-back spot for England. 

Reece James made his international debut for the English national team in October this year after featuring in England’s 3-0 win against Wales in a friendly. After a cameo against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League, the Chelsea youngster started against Denmark.

Despite being sent off against the Danes in a 1-0 loss, the Englishman impressed Gareth Southgate enough for him to give him the full 90 minutes in England’s 3-0 win against Ireland in an international friendly earlier this month.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has acknowledged the strides that James has made in establishing himself as Chelsea’s first-choice right-back this season.

“I remember him always being good for Chelsea youth teams, remember watching him in the Youth Cup. 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.”

Trent praised James’ abilities and said that he considers the 20-year-old a complete right-back and that he will get even better with age.

“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.”

Asked whether he was surprised by five right-backs being named in Gareth Southgate’s most recent England squad, Trent said that the competition for the right wing-back spot would be down to just him and James.

“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.”

The Chelsea right-back has featured in 11 games this season and has established himself as the first-choice right-back at Stamford Bridge.

The young right-back will be tipped to start against Tottenham Hotspur in the weekend clash at Stamford Bridge where a win could see Chelsea leapfrog Spurs and Liverpool to the top of the league table.