Gareth Southgate has hinted that Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold could play in midfield for England at the European Championships.
On Tuesday afternoon, after he announced a delay in naming his final squad, the England manager released a provisional 33-man preliminary group, which will be trimmed down to 26 players on Tuesday 1 June.
The following will join up with the Three Lions this weekend as their preparations for this summer's competition get underway.
In terms of those chosen for the provisional 33-man preliminary group, England are sweating over the fitness of Harry Maguire, so Brighton's Ben White and Everton defender Ben Godfrey have both been called up for the first time.
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The likes of Jesse Lingard, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish got the nod in midfield.
And despite doubts over whether he would make the team or not, Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was chosen alongside three other right-backs; Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker and Reece James.
There were rumours that the 22-year-old would miss out on England's Euro 2020 squad despite his impressive form for Liverpool - and there is a chance he could still receive the chop.
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But during Gareth Southgate's press conference following the 33-man squad announcement, things looked promising for Alexander-Arnold, who could even be deployed as a midfielder, judging by some of the comments made.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday afternoon, Southgate said: "I could easily get drawn into talking about any number of individuals who might be in the 26 and then I'm going to get myself in a mess.
"What I would say is that you are looking at four right-backs, and I know people think I have an obsession with right-backs.
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"I just see four good footballers. Trippier can play right-back or left-back, Trent can play right-back, wing-back... I think he can play in midfield."
He continued, saying: "In the last few days I've also seen Reece James play right of the three at wing-back in the middle of midfield.
"We go into a tournament and those sorts of flexible players who can fulfil different roles but are good footballers are hugely important to us.
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"We really don't know how the next few weeks are going to play out in terms of availability, injuries and what our best system will be with the people we have available. We've got too many question marks as I sit here today.
"But that will become far clearer - we know what we'd like to do and we've got good contingencies in place.
"With this squad, we've got a good balance of young players who will have a good experience with us, but we are also building towards a hugely exciting summer and we have to create a team that can win, so we're trying to balance all those decisions.
Thoughts on Alexander-Arnold being potentially deployed in midfield for England? He certainly has all the necessary attributes to flourish in those areas.
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Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Liverpool, Trent Alexander Arnold, Football, Euro 2020, England, Gareth Southgate
