Tuchel's defensive gambles and what do they say about Alexander-Arnold?

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, England head coach Thomas Tuchel has snubbed Trent Alexander-Arnold again after Tino Livramento was ruled out of the World Cup By Phil McNulty Chief football writer in Dallas Published 1 hour ago Tino Livramento's departure from England's World Cup squad has exposed the gambles and potential weaknesses in head coach Thomas Tuchel's defensive selection. Livramento sustained a calf injury in training before Wednesday's opening World Cup group game against Croatia in Dallas (21:00 BST), with Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah called up as his replacement . Tuchel's initial picks in this crucial area already carried high risk given the injury problems of likely starters Reece James and John Stones last season, which Livramento's departure will bring under further scrutiny. And the choice of Chalobah, a central defender by trade, will once again fire up the debate about why Tuchel seems to have no intention of restoring Trent Alexander-Arnold to England duty. Is Tuchel taking defensive risks? Livramento's latest injury should come as no surprise to Tuchel given the Newcastle full-back - who carried the appeal of being able to play on both flanks - missed most of the end of last season with a thigh problem and had also been absent with hamstring issues. It leaves England with three natural full-backs in James, Tottenham Hotspur's Djed Spence - another who can play on right and left - along with Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly, who can also play in midfield. Newcastle's Dan Burn can play at left-back, while Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa can play in the wide positions, but there would be serious worries about deploying any of them in unaccustomed roles against high-class forwards at a World Cup. As Tuchel's successor Sir Gareth Southgate found when he played Alexander-Arnold in midfield at Euro 2024, a major tournament is no time for experiments or square pegs in round holes. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Reece James and John Stones are high-class defenders who will start for England - but have both had injury problems Replacing Livramento with Chalobah - in another example of Tuchel's apparent preference for tall, physical defenders - again suggests Konsa will be selected ahead of Marc Guehi against Croatia. Chalobah only has one senior England cap, in the 3-1 defeat to Senegal at the City Ground a year ago, so it is big vote of confidence from Tuchel in a 26-year-old who is inexperienced at this level. Stones, 32, remains England's classiest and most experienced defender as he goes into his sixth major tournament. Tuchel is a huge admirer of his quality. However, the centre-half has struggled with injuries - starting only five Premier League games last season. He left Manchester City at the end of last season. Chelsea captain James has struggled with regular hamstring injuries in recent years. He started only 20 league games last season. Stones and James are high-quality defenders, but Tuchel will hav