James vs Alexander-Arnold: Former Liverpool & Chelsea defender delivers final verdict on who is the better full-back

Chelsea defender Reece James has been told he is a better all-round full-back than Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold by Glen Johnson.

Following the latest international break, England boss Gareth Southgate was criticised for his snubbing of Alexander-Arnold which saw the Liverpool star left out of their matchday squad which drew 3-3 to Germany at Wembley on Monday night. 

"I've had long conversations with all of them (who have been left out)," Southgate said.

"The other night (against Italy), we didn't need the left-back cover. 

“Against Germany we did because of the way we went with the team so we needed Chilly (Ben Chilwell) on the bench and we had Kieran who, at the moment, I feel his all-round game is ahead (of Alexander-Arnold).”

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Full-back competition in the England squad is rife ahead of the World Cup selection and Southgate has several difficult choices to make when he selects his final squad for Qatar.

Chelsea’s Reece James has constantly been compared to Alexander-Arnold and it appears that the Blues star will get the nod to go on the plane to Qatar, while Alexander-Arnold’s spot is in doubt. 

Former Chelsea and Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has given his verdict on who he believes is the better all-round full-back. 

Speaking to SafeBettingSites, he said: “It's probably about who we're playing against and how he wants the team to play. 

“Reece James is the better all round player in that position. But Trent's (Alexander-Arnold) got the amazing delivery and free-kick ability. I don't think it's anything that he doesn't like, it's just he prefers a more all-round solid player. 

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“Trent is great going forward, but they're both attributes that can be used against different teams.”

Chelsea’s new arrival Raheem Sterling has also been heavily praised following his switch to the capital from Manchester City. 

“He's not surprised me because I've always thought he's capable of this, he doesn't surprise me at all,” added Johnson. “The surprise is that Man City let him go to Chelsea. 

“Sterling is capable of what he's doing at the moment and you'd have to say he is their main man at the moment.”