Former England manager Fabio Capello has picked Trent Alexander-Arnold in his ideal World Cup XI, despite question marks over whether the Liverpool full-back will even make Gareth Southgate's final squad.
Despite being in scintilating form for Liverpool over the past five years, Alexander-Arnold has had a difficult relationship with the England team with the 24-year-old racking up just 17 caps for the national team since making his debut in 2018.
The full-back has struggled for form so far this campaign for Jurgen Klopp's side and failed to play a single minute during the most recent international break in September.
His cause has not been helped by England's plethora of options at right-back with Reece James, Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier all seemingly ahead of Alexander-Arnold in Southgate's thoughts.
However, with James and Walker both picking up injuries that have raised significant doubts about their hopes of featuring at the World Cup, Alexander-Arnold's chances of making an impact in Qatar have increased, with previous speculation he would fail to even make Southgate's 26-man final squad.
But Capello, who coached the Three Lions from 2007-2012, is clearly a fan of the Liverpool star, and selected him in his 'ideal World Cup XI'.
After being asked by Italian outlet La Gazzetta Dello Sport to select his team, he included Alexander-Arnold and fellow Englishman Phil Foden.
Lining up in a 4-3-3 formation, Capello selected Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while Virgil van Dijk, Marquinhos and Alphonso Davies joined Alexander-Arnold in defence.
His midfield three included former Real Madrid teammates Casemiro and Luka Modric, alongside Kevin De Bruyne. Up-front Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema joined Foden, who was preferred to players such as Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Legendary Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi also chose his World Cup XI and similarly selected Alexander-Arnold in his defence.
Alexander-Arnold was forced to withdraw from England's Euro 2020 squad just eight days before the tournament began after suffering a thigh injury during a pre-tournament friendly.
The 23-year-old will hope to recapture his form for Liverpool over the coming weeks to ensure he nails down his place in the Three Lions squad for Qatar.