Gary Lineker has sparked the debate by claiming Trent Alexander-Arnold surpasses David Beckham in terms of passing ability.
Revered as one of football's most exceptional playmakers, Beckham was renowned for his precision in splitting defenses and converting free kicks into the net from considerable distances. Yet Liverpool's Alexander-Arnold has shown such impressive skills with the ball that he is being hailed as the heir apparent to the former England captain.
The Match of the Day presenter is convinced the Reds full-back has what it takes. On The Rest is Football podcast, alongside Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, Lineker expressed his opinion: “I just think… Beckham is as good a crosser as I've ever seen, as is Trent. I just think that Trent's reach, like, the outside of the foot things, and with both feet too, the left foot.”
At 26, Alexander-Arnold has already won numerous accolades, including the Premier League and Champions League, while Beckham can boast six league titles, two FA Cups and a European Cup thanks to his tenure at Manchester United. Despite this, Beckham's football talent is often overshadowed by his celebrity status off the pitch – a point Lineker did not miss in the discussion, according to the Liverpool Echo.
“You know what it is about David Beckham? I think he's actually a bit underrated as a footballer,” he added. “He's been such a celebrity and his life, obviously, with Victoria, and they've become something of a global superstar couple. I think sometimes you forget how good a player David Beckham was.
“He appeared after my career ended. And I was often asked if there is one player you would like to play with from the current game, who would it be? And I always said Beckham, because his cross would make me feel so much scored.” goals with David Beckham, so it's a difficult one.”
Shearer believes Beckham is a better passer but praised Alexander-Arnold's astonishing ability. Richards agreed: “I would just say Beckham. And the reason why I say that is because when you play in midfield you have less time to pass them, whereas sometimes Trent, when he goes from the right back to the midfield is almost like playing like a quarterback.”
Linker then wrapped up the discussion: “There's not much to it, but I could go with Trent. Just, I think, just the ubiquitous anger, the outside of the foot pass, the swerves. I think they're the best two English passes I've seen in the game, apart from probably Glenn Hoddle.”
While football fans often praise the Liverpool star for his lethal set-piece skills and exceptional performances, perhaps the most important support comes from Beckham himself. The 49-year-old has identified Alexander-Arnold as his modern-day successor.
“I suppose if there was one player that I look at and I think, 'He's very similar in the way he delivers the ball, he's very similar in the way he crosses or passes the ball' then it's got to be Trent ” said Beckham. said to Rio Ferdinand on the ex-United defender's podcast.
“To be honest, I think he's incredible [player] – his vision, he's incredible. And he is an exceptional player, but when I look at a player and I think I see myself in the way he puts the ball in, what he sees in the long balls he plays, then you know he plays balls that some players don't play. I even think about it and that's what I like about him as a player.”
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