[Official] 'Twice as stubborn as ever': Arnold and Maguire ignored again... Libramento injured, Charlova selected as replacement

*This content was translated by AI.

A injury variable has emerged for the England national football team, which is challenging for the World Cup title. However, England manager Thomas Tuchel (53) once again made an unexpected choice. High-profile players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold (28, Real Madrid) and Harry Maguire (33, Manchester United) were overlooked once again.

The British daily The Times reported on the 16th (Korean time) that "Tino Libramento (24, Newcastle) of the England national team will no longer be able to play in the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup due to a calf injury."

The media further explained, "Trevoh Chalobah (27, Chelsea) has been selected as Libramento's replacement. Chalobah is scheduled to join the England national team after the first match of Group L against Croatia."

According to British Sky Sports, Libramento suffered a calf injury during training. Manager Tuchel quickly confirmed a replacement player and called up Chalobah.

Manager Tuchel once again overlooked Alexander-Arnold and Maguire. When the final squad for the North American World Cup was announced earlier, Tuchel's decision to exclude world-class players including Alexander-Arnold and Maguire, as well as Phil Foden (26, Manchester City) and Cole Palmer (24, Chelsea), sparked major controversy. Maguire, who had been a key center-back for England, publicly expressed his disappointment over his own exclusion at the time.

With the injury to right-back Libramento, Alexander-Arnold and Maguire could have received a dramatic opportunity. However, Manager Tuchel's choice remained unchanged. Sky Sports reported, "Alexander-Arnold was one of several high-profile players excluded from Tuchel's national team. He struggled to make a strong impression on the manager. The fact that Tuchel did not call up Alexander-Arnold even in this crisis situation further confirmed his doubts about him."

Chalobah was selected instead of Alexander-Arnold and Maguire. Chalobah, who plays for Chelsea, may not have the same name recognition as the two players, but his advantage is that he can play as a center-back and, depending on the situation, also as a right-back.

England football legend Jamie Carragher (48) also focused on this point. Carragher, currently working as a football commentator, analyzed, "We know well what Manager Tuchel thinks about Alexander-Arnold. Looking at some of the players included in the national team, it seems Manager Tuchel prefers center-backs who can also play as full-backs rather than traditional full-backs."

Carragher continued, "We know the special talent Alexander-Arnold possesses. That is why Real Madrid wanted him and why Liverpool fans were so disappointed to lose him. Alexander-Arnold's talent, and perhaps his weaknesses, could be the reason Manager Tuchel did not select him. It seems Manager Tuchel is focusing more on his weaknesses (defensive stability issues) than his strengths."

He then added, "I won't say I am greatly surprised that Manager Tuchel did not choose Alexander-Arnold. I said a few weeks ago that Manager Tuchel prefers team harmony, cohesion, and mental strength over a player's quality or talent. I believe this selection is another example proving that."

Carragher also explained Maguire's exclusion. He stated, "Right-back Libramento is out. Therefore, I do not think Manager Tuchel was trying to pick a traditional center-back. Maguire is exactly that kind of player. It is not that Chalobah is a right-back. However, if asked whether he can better fulfill the right-back role than a traditional center-back like Maguire in an emergency situation, I would answer 'yes'."

Carragher also mentioned the possibility that Maguire's public expression of dissatisfaction may have influenced Manager Tuchel and the coaching staff's judgment. He said, "Maguire's comments are understandable. He could have been added to the squad at the last minute. Perhaps his comments remained in the minds of the England national team coaching staff. It would have been better to keep such dissatisfaction to himself. At that time, there were still Premier League final matches left, and someone could have gotten injured."

England, led by Manager Tuchel, has been drawn into Group L with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama for the North American World Cup. They will play their first group stage match against Croatia on the 18th. Carragher listed the expected starting defense for the Croatia match as Reece James (27, Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (29, Aston Villa), Marc Guehi (26), and Nico O'Reilly (21, both Manchester City).

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*This content was translated by AI.