'Been a few issues': Rooney suggests non-footballing reason why England have frozen Alexander-Arnold out

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“I find it incredible that he’s not in a 35-man squad. I’ve said it many times and I’m sure he’d say himself that he’s not the best defender, but what he has on the ball is something no other English player has.

“He’s been playing recently and he’s been playing really well. But he’s had a run of games and there’s no doubting his ability, on the ball he’s as good as we’ve ever seen in the Premier League.”Tuchel may be splitting up Bellingham ‘clique’ The debate over Alexander-Arnold and England is not a new one, it raged throughout his time at Liverpool as well.The question is whether his outstanding ability on the ball makes up for his lack of defensive solidity during a tournament which can hinge on fine margins.

Pick your favourite modern Liverpool legend… Two icons of the Klopp era 🔴🙌 Mo Salah and Sadio Mane for Liverpool While Rooney clearly believes there is room for Alexander-Arnold, he suggested that the Scouser’s friendship with Jude Bellingham – who has clashed with Tuchel – could actually be what is coming back to bite him.“There’s an argument he should be starting, so not having him in the squad, it feels a little bit deeper,” he said. “I know he’s good mates with Jude and it looks like there’s been a few issues with Jude, so maybe he feels there’s a clique there and he’s trying to split it up.