Trent Alexander-Arnold has been backed to get better and better at playing in the England midfield by Cesc Fabregas as he accumulates more experience in his new re-deployment away from right-back. England took the lead in the 13th minute in their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia on Sunday with Jude Bellingham reacting quickest to get to Buyako Saka's deflected cross from the byline at the end of a patient spell of attacking pressure from Gareth Southgate's side. Serbia went close seven minutes later after midfield selection Alexander-Arnold took a poor touch just outside his own box while facing his own goal to gift Serbia the ball, but Aleksandar Mitrovic shot narrowly wide of the post.
Cesc Fabregas: "Trent Alexander-Arnold has the natural ability and the capacity to play in midfield" The rest of the first half proceeded in fairly dull fashion, however, with England having to ride out a spell of late pressure before the half-time whistle mercifully blew to give everyone a respite - not least the watching fans. Alexander-Arnold's performance had come in for some criticism on social media, particularly following that error, but two-time Euros winning midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes that the Liverpool man still has what it takes to adapt successfully to an unfamiliar role over the course of Euro 2024. Southgate has moved Alexander-Arnold away from the full-back role he has played for the vast majority of his senior career to play him in midfield alongside Arsenal's Declan Ric.
