Trent Alexander-Arnold is going to play a big part in the future of this England team.

For the past few years there has been plenty of choice in the right-back position, which has almost justified him not being in there. But now there isn’t.

Kyle Walker is 34 years old, Kieran Trippier has announced his retirement from international football and Reece James has had his own injury issues. If Walker is unavailable and Alexander-Arnold does not play there, then who does?

There is a really good chance for him to flourish playing for England and it will make the game better.

Traditionally, international football has not been about having players who can stretch the games, but maybe that is the X-factor for England going forward.

Lee Carsley playing him in his first two games also feels like a significant sign. And it was not in central midfield – where Alexander-Arnold could play if he wanted too – it was in that right-back position.

And that is where he features quite heavily, in my opinion, for England in the future.

That is not saying Walker will not be playing at the World Cup in two years, but he will also be 36 by then.

If it is not Walker, then it is hard to look beyond Alexander-Arnold.

Nedum Onuoha was talking to BBC Sport’s Katie Stafford