James is more balanced but Trent is the better footballer. His ability to create is such that Klopp is building the side around him, their aim is always to get the ball out towards him as much as they can, Klopp's found a role that is basically making him a De Bruyne from right back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is now the most creative player in the Premier League – and it is because his Liverpool role has changed this season. Analysing the positional shift that has led to a significant improvement in his already impressive attacking output
www.skysports.com
Horses for course's mate..... "Better footballer" will always come with the caveat that is 'position'.
As said above, I'm strongly averse to putting predominant emphasis on just one flank.
Yeah I'm not sold on it either, but if he could master it then go ahead .. apparently it's something he's keen on. Would have to have the right setup and players around him to make it work. He couldn't play the traditional CM role but perhaps one in which he drifts out wide more alongside two more balanced players .. Pogba had a similarish role at Juve.
Maybe he is keen, but to me that's moot.
The kind of evolution into such a specialist, unique roll just isn't a feasible option for an international manager IMO.
I don't rate Mount, in all honesty. I think he's decent enough technically and offers a hell of a lot off the ball (hence why managers love him) but my preference is always for a more canny player in that role. I never see quite enough of him in terms of ability to beat his man or play a pass. But coaches love him as he drops in to that midfield and does hard graft.
Yeh, graft plays a big part in his appeal, but credit where it's due, I've seen him be excellent for the Chavs at times.
We really do need a proper right sided player .. Foden is the obvious one as he does it for City, but it doesn't work for England as Southgate prefers the more direct type and it works more with our style. Saka another option but he's another I'm still yet to be sold on.
Sancho would be the obvious for me tbh..... Shame his move to United is proving a mis-step (from an England perspective anyway)... Like Grealish, rather than on the wing, I'd rather play Foden Gazza-style tbh.
Not very Gary, but with a little more growth from 1 or two of the players, I'd pick:
James(*) / Stones / McGuire / Chillwell(*)
Foden / Rice / Bellingham
Sancho / Kane / Sterling.
(*As per earlier chat about TAA/FBs etc.; less dependence on FBs to be creative, yet still maintain the ability to be aggressive in attacking terms from those berths where the game allows)