World Cup stories: Italia '90 star assesses England's full-back situation

In one week's time, Thomas Tuchel will name his 26-man squad for this summer's World Cup, as the players wait with bated breath to see if they've made the cut.

The tournament kicks off in 27 days, and there are still some questions over some of the names the Three Lions may or may not include in his final party. 

One of those concerns comes at full-back, where it's still not clear who will be the first choice on either flank when England kick off against Croatia on 17 June. 

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Paul Parker is someone who knows all about the full-back position, having been England's first choice right-back at Italia '90, and the former Manchester United man has no doubts on who he'd pick for the Three Lions 2026 team. 

Speaking exclusively to DAZN News , thanks to  Spreadex Sports , Parker believes the choice is a no-brainer if there is a fully fit field to choose from. DAZN/FIFA

"Assuming everyone is fully fit, I would have Reece James at right-back and Nico O’Reilly at left-back," he said. 

"O’Reilly is hitting peak form at this moment in time and I’m really pleased for him. The good thing about him is he can also drift into midfield and he looks comfortable there.

"Someone like Lewis Hall will do a job in there, but O’Reilly does more than just the job. He’s brilliant going forward but you can see he wants to defend and he enjoys defending as well. He’s a big, strong boy.

"I do like Hall and we know he can play in midfield because he started there before moving to left-back. He’s good on the ball, physically strong and he brings a lot of quality going forward. For me, he has to be on the plane.Getty

"Myles Lewis-Skelly has put his name back in the conversation, but I think he’s got a bit of an attitude problem.

"Thomas Tuchel has got three very good left-backs to choose from, which is rare. The right-back position looks a bit weaker, which hasn’t normally been the case in recent years.

"My favourite right-back is Reece James, but can you trust him to stay fit and play so many games in a short period of time? It’s a difficult situation."

One name unlikely to make the cut is Trent Alexander-Arnold, who seems to remain firmly out in the cold with the current boss. 

The Real Madrid defender wasn't included in the expanded squad for the March friendlies and Parker has backed Tuchel's decision and once again questioned the player's defensive attributes. 

Adding, "Trent Alexander-Arnold hasn’t set the world alight at Real Madrid. He still can’t defend, he roams around everywhere and wants to play as a midfielder. That would be a concern for me.

"You can put him at right-back, but what’s he going to do when he has a quality winger running at him and taking him on?

"Can the right centre-back trust that he’s going to be there? Is he going to stop crosses? Generally, you have to say no to those questions."

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