Former England coach Glenn Hoddle can understand the decision to overlook Liverpool fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold for this week's World Cup qualifiers.
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate surprised many, particularly on Merseyside, in leaving Alexander-Arnold out of his squad for England's qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland. But Hoddle can understand the call, believing Southgate simply had better options available to him.
Hoddle said on his podcast ' The Glenn Hoddle Footy Show': "Yeah, I think the squad is getting stronger and stronger. There's a lot of European national teams out there that would be envious of England's squad - and it's lovely to say that.
"Our test will come when it's seen if we can defend against the very best teams."
On Alexander-Arnold's form, Hoddle admits he's seen a drop off this season. While declaring how much he admires Liverpool's young right-back, the former AS Monaco star says he has noticed standards slipping defensively this season from Alexander-Arnold.
Indeed, Hoddle says the shock of the England omission could be just what the defender needs.
He explained: "I think he's a very, very good player.
"I have seen a slight change in him this year. I think he's a young man and it might be the very thing he needs. I think up at Liverpool they've had defensive problems.
"He's a young man and he'll look back at the start of this season... I saw things that were a little too flamboyant. Too relaxed. I think his mind was not quite there. I think he's had an indifferent season.
"He still hits some wonderful passes. He still gets forward and does some wonderful things. His defending has just been a bit stop-start."
Hoddle, however, is confident Aleander-Arnold can rediscover the defensive discipline he boasted when first breaking into manager Jurgen Klopp's first team.
He added, "When he first came in as a young fullback, my word. He was up against (Leroy) Sane at Man City. And he defended for his life.
"I think he needs to put that head back on. If he does, then he'll get back into the England squad because he's so good going forward. It gives Gareth the option to play a back three, with him as a wing-back.
"He should get his down and say 'look, I need to get back to how I know I can play'.
"I think he just took his foot off the pedal - and it happens to youngsters."
Listen to this week's full episode of 'The Glenn Hoddle Footy Show' - a Tribal Football partner - below: