Take a look at the England squad Gareth Southgate named at the end of August last year, and one position jumps out immediately.
In a 25-man group, the Three Lions boss opted to name three right-backs for games against Bulgaria and Kosovo. There were two left-backs and only four centre-halves.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were all picked, while Kyle Walker – a key member of the side at the 2018 World Cup – was left out.
Kyle Walker looks dejected after England’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Croatia in 2018
It was a clear sign that Southgate is not only thrilled with his options on the right side of defence, but that he has no qualms about bringing through fresh blood.
It therefore came as no surprise to learn that the former Middlesbrough boss is reportedly on the verge of ending Walker’s international career once and for all after he was caught hosting a £2,200 sex party during the coronavirus lockdown.
The Manchester City star was forced to issue a grovelling apology after he ignored government guidelines by inviting two prostitutes to his Cheshire property.
Walker could be fined up to £200,000 by his club, while The Star claim Southgate is so ‘livid’ about the incident that the defender may never play for his country again.
England manager Gareth Southgate is understood to be ‘livid’ at Walker following the incident
The 29-year-old didn’t make England’s last squad – for wins over Montenegro and Kosovo in November – and was already facing a huge battle to regain his place.
Over the last couple of years, right-back has emerged as a position of real strength for Southgate, who has a number of exciting options to choose from.
And with three of those all in their early twenties, there seems little reason to bring back Walker following another off-the-pitch indiscretion.
Here, Sportsmail takes a look at the stars pushing to make the right-back slot their own – and why it should be England’s strongest position for the next decade.
Walker could face a fine of up £200,000 from Manchester City after breaking lockdown rules
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Seemingly Southgate’s first choice at present, Alexander-Arnold looks well placed to remain in the role for years to come after his rapid rise at Liverpool.
The 21-year-old is rewriting what it means to be a modern day full-back, displaying both incredible vision and technique on an almost weekly basis.
His statistics this season have left Walker in the shade too. Alexander-Arnold is way ahead in key areas such as assists, creating chances, crosses, tackles, blocks and clearances, with the City man only coming out on top in passing and crossing accuracy, and duel success.
He has also benefited from being a key cog in Jurgen Klopp’s back four, and has become used to winning week in, week out, in a side who had amassed a huge lead at the top of the table before football was shut down.
Impressive experience in the Champions League – he won the competition last year and reached the final in 2018 – also gives him an edge, and means he is unlikely to be intimidated when big games at the European Championship eventually roll around next summer.
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold appears to be Southgate’s first choice at present
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Although he is still yet to win a senior cap, Wan-Bissaka appears to be the most likely to challenge Alexander-Arnold for a starting berth next summer, and in the years to follow.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a solid first season at Manchester United since his £50million move last summer, and is already firmly established as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-choice right-back.
He earned the nickname ‘The Spider’ at boyhood club Crystal Palace because of the way he used his long legs to hook the ball away from opponents – and he’s continued in the same vein at Old Trafford.
He has made more tackles (125), interceptions (62) and blocks (13) in all competitions than any of his rivals for the England right-back spot this season, and also has the best duel success rate at 60.39 per cent.
If Southgate wants to keep it tight then Wan-Bissaka looks like his best option, but there are still questions over his ability to get forward and help in attack.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, pictured in action for England’s Under 21s, is yet to win a senior cap
Kieran Trippier
It looked like Trippier’s international career could be over after his dismal form for Tottenham during the 2018-19 season led to him being dropped.
That had seemed unthinkable during the World Cup in Russia as he starred for Southgate’s side on their run to the semi-finals, memorably scoring a stunning free-kick in their last-four defeat by Croatia.
His standout performances during the tournament were not enough for him to keep his place in the squad, however, and it took a fresh start in Spain to catapult the former Burnley man back into the international reckoning.
A return to form with Atletico Madrid this term saw Trippier recalled to the England squad last August and he kept his place for the November internationals too.
At 29, the same as Walker, Trippier does not represent the future of the Three Lions, but he could yet prove a useful option for Southgate.
Kieran Trippier is back in favour under Southgate after losing his place for poor form at Spurs
Reece James
After a breakthrough season in the Premier League with Chelsea, James has quickly emerged as another young right-back to keep an eye on.
The 20-year-old impressed on loan at Wigan last term and has made the step up to the top-flight with ease, already racking up 26 games in all competitions under Frank Lampard this season.
Like Alexander-Arnold and Trippier, James loves getting forward and has two goals – one in the Champions League and one in the Carabao Cup – to his name this season.
He has the best crossing accuracy of any of the defenders in contention despite being the least experienced, and has played for his country at Under 18, 19, 20 and 21 level.
A senior call-up in the future appears to be a certainty, but he may have to wait for an opportunity with Alexander-Arnold, Trippier and Wan-Bissaka ahead of him.
Chelsea youngster Reece James looks set to push for a place in the senior England squad