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Gareth Southgate takes his England team to the World Cup in Russia this summer shorn of world-class talents in some areas of the pitch, but especially in defence.
To rectify this problem, starting from the March friendly against Holland, the former Middlesbrough manager has tucked Kyle Walker, one of the world’s best right-backs, on the back of a Premier League title winning season, inside to centre-half.
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That has presented his former Tottenham team-mate Kieran Trippier – valued at £18m by Transfermarkt – with an opportunity to be a guaranteed starter, but Champions League finalist Trent Alexander-Arnold has stormed to prominence to throw an unexpected spanner in the works.
With the teenager still recovering from the run to the showpiece in Kiev, Trippier was given the opportunity to cement his right-wing-back berth in the 2-1 win against Nigeria at Wembley on Saturday.
The former Burnley man did not disappoint, setting up Gary Cahill’s opening goal, after having seen a testing free-kick swatted away in the early stages.
He also provided two key passes, to prove that while he lacks Walker’s explosive pace, he can be a valuable attacking outlet, but he remained solid at the other end.
A clearance, an interception and four tackles topped off a strong performance at both ends for Trippier, who is surely the man in the driving seat to start for the Three Lions against Tunisia in that opening game on June 18.