Ben White’s injury shines a light on one of England’s problem positions heading into the World Cup.
The Arsenal defender is among eight players to have started at right-back in Thomas Tuchel’s 12 matches so far as England manager.
Tuchel this week submitted a provisional 55-player squad for the World Cup, although the full make-up has not been released by the Football Association , and it is unclear whether White has been included.
White’s World Cup hopes are in the balance after he was ruled out for the remainder of the season when sustaining a significant medial knee ligament injury against West Ham United on Sunday.
The 28-year-old had only just returned to the England fold, ending his exile after four years when featuring in March’s friendlies against Uruguay – against whom he scored – and Japan.
White’s potential absence therefore opens the door for other contenders, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has not made the German’s last four squads.
Tuchel’s starting right-backs
- Reece James: 4
- Kyle Walker*: 2
- Curtis Jones: 1
- Ezri Konsa: 1
- Djed Spence: 1
- Jarell Quansah: 1
- Tino Livramento: 1
- Ben White: 1
*Walker has retired from international duty
Real Madrid right-back Alexander-Arnold has played just 26 minutes for England under Tuchel, against Andorra last summer, but could find his chances of heading to North America have just increased.
But where in the pecking order is he? Many would make him their top pick, but here is where he realistically ranks among the right-backs in contention to start England’s World Cup opener against Croatia on 17 June.
Curtis Jones
Wait, what? Well, we are counting down after all, and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones made a surprise start at right-back – ahead of Alexander-Arnold – in the game against Andorra last June.
Jones’s versatility makes him a strong squad option, but after making Tuchel’s first two squads in 2025 he has missed out on the last four.
Joe Gomez
Jones’ club teammate Joe Gomez can play across the defensive line, but he has not earned a call-up since the Gareth Southgate days. Intriguingly, there has not been a Liverpool player in any of Tuchel’s last four squads.
Jarell Quansah
Former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah is predominantly a centre-back but his one and only England cap to date came at right-back away to Albania in November.
The Bayer Leverkusen star is therefore on Tuchel’s radar and only withdrew from the March squad due to a thigh injury he has since recovered from.
Nico O’Reilly
Why not? The Pep Guardiola pet project of the season has left us wondering if there is anything the Manchester City player cannot do, and though mainly a left-back – where he has started three of the last four England games – the 21-year-old would no doubt be comfortable making the switch if required.
Djed Spence
Also contending with O’Reilly for the left-back role, Djed Spence has played both sides under Tuchel.
The Tottenham Hotspur defender has had a niggling calf injury this year, starting infrequently for Spurs, but is probably on the World Cup plane thanks to his versatility.
Tino Livramento
Newcastle United right-back Tino Livramento has been plagued by injuries this season, missing more matches than he has played due to knee, hamstring and thigh problems.
Livramento started for England against Uruguay in March, and though back in training, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is reluctant to rush him back.
“That would feel silly,” Howe said. “We will let him recover and get a good summer behind him.”
Livramento is therefore an unknown, and should he and White miss out it could mean…
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Enter Alexander-Arnold? He has reportedly made the 55-player cut but whether he survives the final cull – well, he certainly won’t be holding his breath.
“I know what Trent can give us,” Tuchel said after omitting Alexander-Arnold in March, and when asked what the other right-backs offer he replied: “A slightly different profile.”
In short: he does not fit tactically, and his only hope of going to the World Cup is if Tuchel overlooks the, arguably exaggerated, defensive frailties and sees value in taking one of England’s best passers since David Beckham. Yes, I’m an Alexander-Arnold fan, why do you ask?
Ezri Konsa
A shoo-in for the plane and perhaps even a starting role at centre-back next to Marc Guehi, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa has played on the right for Tuchel and could make way in the centre if John Stones is preferred to partner his Manchester City teammate.
Konsa would be a safe pair of hands at right-back, if not entirely exciting.
Read more
Reece James
Few doubt Reece James is Tuchel’s starting right-back of choice this summer, but plenty will have doubts over his fitness.
The Chelsea captain recently returned from a hamstring injury to face Liverpool on Saturday, and provided he navigates the next month without a hitch – no guarantee – he will be in the starting XI against Croatia.