Brazil legend Cafu doesn’t understand why Trent Alexander-Arnold can’t get into the England team under Gareth Southgate, saying the Liverpool star ‘has everything’.
Cafu, regarded as one of the greatest right-backs ever thanks to his performances for Roma, AC Milan and while picking up 142 caps for Brazil, winning two World Cups.
He sees something special in Alexander-Arnold and is very surprised that he does not get into England’s starting XI, seemingly fourth in the pecking order at right-back with Southgate in charge.
Kieran Trippier has started the first two games in Qatar for the Three Lions, with Kyle Walker coming in against Wales, while the injured Reece James would probably have been first choice in the position.
While few would question the qualities of those players, Cafu is baffled by Alexander-Arnold not being above them in Southgate’s thinking.
‘I don’t understand why. He has everything: quality, dribbling, pace, but it’s always the same story, they say you are not defensive enough and you remain out,’ Cafu told Italian publication Gazetta Dello Sport.
‘Somebody used to say the same about Roberto Carlos and me, but I think we won something.
‘Unfortunately, full-backs are too robotic these days, they get the ball, pass it, and run, I don’t see movements without the ball and no one-two passes.’
It is not the first time Cafu has heaped praise on Alexander-Arnold, comparing the Liverpool man to himself.
Cafu told BBC Sport last season: ‘I have been following Alexander-Arnold and the campaign he has had at Liverpool. His progress over the last few years has been amazing and for sure is one of the best right-backs in the world.
‘He is young, strong and has developed hugely considering his age. He also has a lot of experience and I see a lot of similarities between him and myself.
‘We both had a will and commitment to attack, to go forward and have the boldness to shoot and to put the crosses in. The diagonal movements he makes on the pitch are also similar to what I was making as a player.’
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