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England World Cup full-back at a loss on who current first choice left-back is for the Three Lions
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England finish up their World Cup qualifying campaign this week, having already booked their place at next summer's finals in North America.
Thomas Tuchel face games against Serbia and Albania to wrap a group where they are yet to lose a game or concede a single goal, and although the focus will be on completing a perfect campaign, the two matches do prevent an ideal opportunity for the manager to solve one or two niggling issues with his side.
One of those questions is at left-back, where the Three Lions still lack a natural first choice to play in that position. Luke Shaw had the shirt for the last tournament, but form and fitness mean he's yet to be even considered by Tuchel since being appointed.
Tuchel has tried several different names in the left-back spot so far, with Myles Lewis-Skelly earning the most caps in that role under the German, but it doesn't feel like he's nailed down the spot. Especially with Nico O'Reilly in the squad and tipped to make his debut this week in the very same area.
Someone who knows all about playing as a full-back at World Cup finals is Paul Parker, who was Bobby Robson's choice on the right of his backline during Italia '90, but the former defender isn't sold on any of the choices at England's disposal - especially the antics of Arsenal youngster Lewis-Skelly.
- Read next I Why the underappreciated Jordan Pickford is one of England's best-ever between the sticks
"I’m struggling to choose an England left-back," Parker exclusively told DAZN News thanks to the home of betting
"Luke Shaw's not in the squad. Lewis Hall is out injured. Not Djed Spence in international football.
"Myles Lewis-Skelly is arrogant; he’s a little too arrogant is his problem in the way he is really. He's got that kind of arrogance that you touch him and he wants to throw himself to the floor all the time. I've seen him do that on numerous occasions and it's cost Arsenal a few times.
"Tino Livramento is a solid player, but predominantly a right back so they would be off balance with a right footer at left back.
"Lewis Hall has been out injured but I like him and you want that left footer there, unless you’re Dennis Irwin. I like him and think he’s a strong player, he's got a strong character. He needs to get his games in, and it’s what Tuchel wants too.
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"We already know the Skelly one, the manager's saying he's not playing enough football, which I think is great because too many managers we've had, like Southgate, were picking players who weren't even playing for their clubs.
"If you're not playing club football, you can't just jump straight into a tournament. You can't do it."
While Parker isn't sold on the left, he is in no doubt who he'd pick as first choice on the other flank. Ignoring the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ezri Konsa and going with what looks to be Tuchel's plan too, in Reece James, although he has the same concerns as everyone over his fitness issues.
Adding, "I'm going to go with Reece James at right-back. Right back has to be Reece James, but the way Chelsea are using him, is he going to be okay at the international stage? You need someone who isn’t going to break down easily."
England play Serbia on Thursday evening before travelling to Albania on Sunday in their final group game.
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