Topics: Roy Keane, England, Euro 2024, Football, Gareth Southgate
Roy Keane has expressed concern over one England player at Euro 2024 - and has sent a warning to manager Gareth Southgate.
The Three Lions boss picked his provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024 on Tuesday, leaving out high-profile names such as Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford.
Southgate also selected five uncapped players in his squad, including Liverpool's Jarell Quansah, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite.
The selection was largely well-received by England fans in comparison to previous squads, with Southgate himself admitting that the players included had simply enjoyed better seasons than both Henderson and Rashford.
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Another player expected to play a key role is Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was notably listed as a midfielder when England announced the squad on social media.
The 25-year-old has adapted his role in recent seasons to play as a hybrid right-back/defensive midfielder, utilising his passing range from deep.
With Kyle Walker likely ahead of him in the pecking order, it could be that Alexander-Arnold is played in midfield instead by Southgate, or as an attacking wing-back as part of a back five if that system is used at any point.
However, speaking on The Overlap's Stick to Football, Keane has suggested that the Liverpool defender should not be used in midfield - for one key reason.
He explained: "You can't play him in there [midfield] against one of the top teams. In one or two of the group games you get away with it, but if you play Trent in there against one of the top nations, defensive side of the game we are talking about, he can't defend.
"I think Trent, against the real top teams - France or Germany, whoever it may be, in the knockout games - if you are playing Trent in there [midfield], defensively, he can't defend!
"In midfield, you have to defend in midfield. I don't think he's got... defensively, he dangles his leg in. Look back at the Everton game - he's not aggressive in defensive situations.
"On the ball, I love him - absolutely love him. But at that level we are talking about, the knockout games - England will obviously get through the group - if Trent gets in there and gets asked to do a defensive job for England against a really good team [he'll struggle].
"I watch every game he plays for Liverpool, whether he's right-back or comes into midfield, and Trent Alexander-Arnold can't smell danger.
"I get that putting him in midfield means he's higher up the pitch, and he has the security behind him, but as a defender, you still want players running at you the whole time.
"They'll get away with it against the lesser teams, but if he plays in there, all the best."
Roy Keane was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
