‘No doubt’ over Alexander-Arnold swap for Southgate as he reveals Bazball talks
Alexander-Arnold had a hand in all three of England’s first-half goals, scoring the second himself with an outstanding 25-yard strike, after being pushed into a complicated position for the European Championship qualifier on the Ta’ Qali National Stadium.
His raking cross for Bukayo Saka had earlier made England’s opener after eight minutes, an personal purpose, and he was concerned within the build-up to the guests being awarded the primary of two penalties, gained and transformed by Harry Kane.
Substitute Callum Wilson additionally scored from the spot late on, as England maintained their 100 per cent begin to qualifying within the Mediterranean.
Asked if Alexander-Arnold might proceed to play in midfield for England, Southgate stated: “Inevitably a lot of what happens is going to be a little bit dependent on his club because the fact he’s been playing there has partly helped his transition in that area.
“He’s getting used to receiving the ball with his back to goal and in tight areas when before he was used to receiving on the touchline with the play in front of him. He was very comfortable doing that. I have no doubts in my mind he can do it, he’s just learning some nuances without the ball.
“He’s enjoyed the project, if you like. He has been excited by it and he showed exactly what we think he could be capable of. He gives us something different to our other midfielders.”
A low-key qualifier in Malta was completely overshadowed within the sporting calendar by a spectacular first day of the Ashes at Edgbaston, the place England declared on 393 for eight in opposition to the Australians in one other outstanding day of cricket.
Southgate revealed he had spoken with Rob Key, the ECB’s managing director of cricket, however was cagey on whether or not he might be taught something from ‘Bazball’.
“I’ve had a couple of meetings with Rob Key,” Southgate stated. “I’m a big cricket fan and I think it’s hugely exciting to watch.
“Their mindset has been a big thing but they’ve also got a lot of world class players, they’ve got a lot of players who would get a world XI.
They’re going to be judged on an Ashes series in the same way we’re judged on Euros and World Cups.
“There’s definitely been this shift in how they’re playing and I imagine it’s the first first-team in my lifetime to declare on 393 for eight on day one. That’ll be an interesting decision because in the end people will judge that on the outcome, as they do the decisions we make as a coach. But that’s a clue as to the mindset they’re going into the series with.
“It’s hard to align it [to football] because they have a lot more games and time together. Whenever we’ve done cross-sport things, you’re always mindful of, ‘OK what are the bits we can pick off, what are the bits that might be unique to the different sport’, and in the end you’re looking at things that can help you to win.
“There, the alignment between the captain and coach is really strong, the alignment with the head of cricket is really strong which in any sports organisation is really crucial and this summer is going to tell us a hell of a lot.
“They’re going to be judged on an Ashes series in the same way we’re judged on European Championships and World Cups.”