Trent Alexander-Arnold's Midfield Masterclass Awaited as England Take on North Macedonia in Euro 2024 Qualifier

Trent Alexander-Arnold received immense praise for his outstanding goal and impressive overall performance in midfield during England's dominant 4-0 victory over Malta on Friday evening.

Having been a lesser-used player in Gareth Southgate's national team, the 24-year-old now aspires that his new role will aid in solidifying a spot in the starting lineup. "My goal is to become a consistent presence in the team," he expressed. "Playing in this position is something that brings me joy."

The question now lies in whether Southgate envisions Alexander-Arnold as the future of his midfield or simply another viable option for the position.

If Alexander-Arnold remains in the starting lineup against North Macedonia at Old Trafford, facing a significantly stronger opponent than Malta, it will provide further evidence of Southgate's commitment to this "project" he referred to on Friday evening.

If Southgate decides to opt for a more traditional midfielder, players like Kalvin Phillips and Conor Gallagher may be considered as potential options. However, despite this temptation, Southgate acknowledged the challenge posed by the North Macedonians and emphasized the need for his team to be fully prepared and at their best in order to secure a victory.

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Under the leadership of head coach Blagoja Milevski, North Macedonia has demonstrated their quality in recent matches.

Southgate believed that his team had a missed opportunity to win their Group C match against Ukraine on Friday. Despite initially leading with a two-goal advantage, they ultimately lost 3-2. It is worth mentioning that in the previous year, they achieved a remarkable victory over the European champions Italy in a World Cup play-off tie held in Palermo.

Furthermore, Southgate emphasized the exceptional "individual quality" possessed by his team on Sunday. It is important to acknowledge, particularly from Alexander-Arnold's point of view, that a significant portion of this quality is concentrated in the central midfield position.

North Macedonia's midfield, unlike the one faced in Malta, boasts the talents of Eljif Elmas, a champion in the prestigious Serie A with Napoli, and Enis Bardhi from Trabzonspor. These two players, who were responsible for North Macedonia's goals against Ukraine, bring a formidable attacking prowess that surpasses the capabilities of Malta, who are considered minnows in Group C.

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With Alexander-Arnold being assigned a midfield position by Southgate for the match against Malta, it is expected that England's midfield will face a defensive challenge that was absent in the previous game. Southgate mentioned that Malta tends to be more proactive in their approach, which is a factor that the manager will undoubtedly consider when it comes to the utilization of Alexander-Arnold in the team.

The England manager is fully aware of the unique vision and creativity that the player brings to the position. He emphasized on Sunday that the outstanding qualities possessed by the player are undeniable. However, it is his perceived weaknesses in defense that have led others to be favored over him as right-back.

Consequently, Southgate is confronted with a decision: either to give Alexander-Arnold another chance in the position and observe how he copes with the defensive aspect against a stronger team, or to opt for a safer choice by reverting to a player who is more naturally suited to the position. This choice is crucial as England seeks to maintain their perfect record of winning all four matches.

His decision might hint at his true intentions for Alexander-Arnold.

Southgate: Selection calls difficult

Southgate expressed the challenge of selecting a team due to the depth of talented players who have trained impressively.

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Bukayo Saka is fit to play against North Macedonia after an injury scare

"As always, we're looking at the opposition, the best way to try and win the game and the attributes we need.

We have carefully deliberated on this decision and are fully aware of the direction we need to pursue."

When questioned about the potential return of any Manchester City players to his starting line-up for the match against North Macedonia, Southgate responded, "There is a possibility."

It is undeniable that these players are incredibly skilled and crucial to our team. Naming a specific lineup is a challenging task without a doubt.

We have also carefully studied our opponents to ensure that we achieve the right combination of players. This match holds great significance for us, and our aim is to deliver a commendable performance.

Southgate: Onus is on us to entertain

However, as they prepare to take on their upcoming opponents at Old Trafford, the England manager remains hopeful that the reception from the fans will be more encouraging. He believes that it is the responsibility of him and his team to give the supporters a valid reason to cheer and restore their faith in the squad.

"We have the responsibility to engage the crowd," he expressed. "It is our duty to deliver a performance that sparks excitement and showcases our skills.

"The audience here is truly remarkable. I vividly remember the electrifying atmosphere in Leeds a couple of years back, and I am confident that Manchester will be no different.

The sold-out status of the event brings us great excitement. This excitement extends to the players, injecting an element of intensity into the game. However, it is important to acknowledge that our opponents will also be energized by this atmosphere. They will undoubtedly strive to deliver an impressive performance, which means we must be prepared to face their challenge.

Nevertheless, our primary objective remains to showcase a strong performance and provide entertainment to our loyal supporters. Ultimately, securing a victory is imperative for us.

Shaw: I'd fill in at centre-back if asked

"I believe that my performances thus far demonstrate that I deserve to be a part of the team," Shaw stated.

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"I've mentioned this before. While my primary position is left-back, I am fully willing to step in as a centre-back if necessary for the team," expressed Luke Shaw in anticipation of England's match against North Macedonia.

Playing centre-back for Manchester United was a valuable experience for me. It allowed me to explore a new position and learn various aspects of the game. I found immense joy in embracing this challenge. Although my preferred position is left-back, I am always willing to adapt and contribute wherever needed.

Having established himself as a consistent presence in Southgate's squad, Shaw is on the verge of earning his 31st international appearance for England as they face North Macedonia.

"The backing of the manager is undoubtedly valuable. Although there are a few injury concerns, notably with Chilly [Ben Chilwell], having the manager's trust means a great deal to me.

Shaw, who recently secured a new long-term deal with Manchester United in April, also commended Erik ten Hag for his significant impact on his growth as a player since joining Old Trafford last summer.

The time I've spent there has been substantial. This season, the manager has truly played a significant role in my progress. He has elevated my game to new heights by consistently pushing me.

This is precisely the kind of support and motivation I require and aspire to. My goal is to continue growing and advancing, as I firmly believe there is still room for improvement. I am determined to challenge myself and reach an even greater level of performance.

"With the people around me and the coaches I have, I feel like I can do that."