When it became obvious that Thomas Tuchel did not value Trent Alexander-Arnold appropriately by continually leaving him off England national team squads at international breaks, Real Madrid fans were braced for his snub at the World Cup. So when it came, while no Madridistas were truly surprised, there was a sense of indignation that one of the country's most talented players and a real X-Factor would not be at the biggest tournament in sports.
Perhaps Tuchel has other things he values in a right back, and it would have been fair enough if he wanted a different starter, but to leave Trent off the squad entirely was a cardinal sin that even the English media did not take too kindly to.
Trent had been playing pretty well for Real Madrid, too, improving defensively and spinning his trademark passes with beauty and precision. And then when Reece James went down with an injury to thin out the England squad even more at right back, Real Madrid fans were ready to say "I told you so" to their old Champions League foe.
Gary Neville isn't happy with Thomas Tuchel's choice
It isn't just the Madridistas, though. Some of the biggest names in English footballing punditry are taking Thomas Tuchel and the Three Lions to task for leaving off Trent Alexander-Arnold, and even Mancheter United's iconic fullback Gary Neville tore into Tuchel for his decision.
Neville said on the ITV Football broadcast, "Quansah at RB? Something's gone badly wrong. I'd prefer Trent at RB. Tuchel has picked Reece James and Livramento who are injury prone, but not Trent who is world class."
Real Madrid supporters were at the fore front of those upset with Tuchel for snubbing Alexander-Arnold and declaring that the German manager would soon regret his decision to leave off the most talented right back in the squad. And now Gary Neville is affirming what they have been shouting from the rooftops, really ever since Tuchel first started leaving the former Liverpool icon off his squad.
So while it is great to see the wider media like Neville, Micah Richards, and other pundits coming to the fore to declare that Trent - and this will warm Madridista hearts the most - is world class, it is not much of a victory when he is having to sit at home instead of helping Jude Bellingham lead the Three Lions. But oh well, less competition for Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior - and less risk of injury, too.
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