England has been spoiled for choice at right back in recent years. But as the World Cup nears, the Three Lions are facing something of a crisis at a position that has been a strength for so long.
The latest, and perhaps biggest blow came when Reece James limped out of Chelsea’s midweek Champions League win at AC Milan with a knee injury.
Multiple reports have suggested that James, who has been in outstanding form for club and country, could be set for an operation that would see him miss the World Cup.
“He’s due to see a specialist over the weekend, so until we get that information there’s not too much else I can add unfortunately,” Chelsea head coach Graham Potter said at a press conference on Friday. “The rest would be speculation. We will wait and see. We need to check the discomfort and see a specialist.”
With James out, Kyle Walker would be the logical replacement but the Manchester City man has just undergone a groin operation of his own and is in doubt for the World Cup.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has become a polarizing figure due to the extreme discrepancy between his exceptional attacking prowess and defending that can leave much to be desired. He is also injured at the moment, though he’s only expected to miss two weeks with an ankle problem picked up last weekend.
That brings us to Kieran Trippier. The Newcastle right back was a key figure at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020, but has only played in two of England’s eight matches this year.
Outside of Trippier, Arsenal’s Ben White, normally a center back who has been playing right back for the Gunners this year, could be in line for a late recall, which has been endorsed by his club coach.
“Ben would be very comfortable playing on the right side of a back three as well as in the middle or as a fullback,” Mikel Arteta said this week.
“If you ask me if he is ready to make that step [to England], then the answer is yes because he is a very confident boy.”
To be sure, it’s a champagne problem for Gareth Southgate to be forced into calling in the starting right back for the Premier League’s top team this year. But it’s still a headache for a manager who wasn’t expecting this much uncertainty a month out from Qatar at a position that’s been such a strength.
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