Reece James has dismissed the criticism of his England teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, after detractors claimed the Liverpool full-back couldn’t defend.
The Three Lions are blessed with world-class options at right-back and there is much debate about who should be at the top of the pecking order, especially with the World Cup in Qatar fast approaching.
Alexander-Arnold, Chelsea’s James and Manchester City’s Kyle Walker are the main contenders, and Gareth Southgate has given each of them a chance to start during England’s Nations League campaign.
‘I’ll try everything I can [to be first choice],’ said James, who started the goalless draw with Italy on Saturday night.
‘Only my performances will be able to prove what I can bring. In these games and building into next season I’ll hopefully be able to show that I’m ready to play every game.’
The 22-year-old has experienced a meteoric rise since making his Chelsea debut in 2019, performing excellently as both a right-back, right-wing-back and even as a centre-back in a three-man defence, aiding the club to their Champions League triumph in 2021.
Last season, James struggled with injuries but still managed to record five goals and nine assists in the Premier League, and, if fit, will almost certainly be a part of Southgate’s squad in Qatar.
While Walker, as the oldest and most experienced option, is likely to be first choice, there are many who think that James should be next in line, despite Alexander-Arnold’s incredible creativity and status as one of, if not the best, in his position in the world.
Those who take this stance often claim that the Liverpool player is not good enough defensively, but James hit back at the critics, adding: ‘I make mistakes as well. I gave away a penalty against Hungary, so we are both still learning our trade.
‘Liverpool have 95 per cent of the ball and he defends less than I have to. People have a lot of stuff to say and don’t really know the game. Trent is a great player.’
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