Alexander-Arnold Faces Uncertain Future at Real Madrid Amidst Limited Playing Time
The English full-back is struggling to establish himself in the starting lineup, leading to speculation about his next move.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's tenure at Real Madrid has not gone as planned since his June 2025 transfer, with the English defender finding himself increasingly sidelined. Despite arriving with significant ambition to become the club's primary right-back, competition has intensified, leaving him as a third-choice option behind Denzel Dumfries and versatile midfielder Federico Valverde, who has been deployed in the role.
Alexander-Arnold has featured in seven of Real Madrid's 13 matches this season, starting only four and contributing a single assist. His involvement has diminished significantly in recent games, including being an unused substitute against Roma, Sevilla, and RB Leipzig, and only making a brief appearance in stoppage time during El Clásico. This lack of consistent game time raises questions about his future role within manager Jose Mourinho's plans.
Despite having a contract until 2031, his current standing at the club is precarious. Real Madrid paid a reported 10 million euros (£8.33 million) for his transfer last summer, eager to secure his services for the Club World Cup rather than wait for his Liverpool contract to expire. His initial arrival was met with optimism, with Alexander-Arnold expressing his excitement and describing the move as a "dream come true" in his first address to the club's supporters, even delivering his speech in Spanish.
His first season, 2025-26, saw him make 21 La Liga appearances with 14 starts. However, a combination of injuries, including a hamstring problem in September and a thigh injury in December, along with a muscle issue during pre-season, disrupted his momentum and prevented him from building consistent form. The team also experienced managerial changes, with Xabi Alonso departing and Alvaro Arbeloa taking over, adding to the instability.
Mourinho acknowledged the difficulty of selection decisions, stating, "First of all, it hurts me. I don't like to make players feel bad. I want them to feel good." He explained that while he prefers to have two players per position, tactical decisions sometimes necessitate changes, such as deploying Valverde at right-back. Mourinho emphasized that these decisions are made with the team's needs in mind and that both Alexander-Arnold and Dumfries understood the reasoning.
The manager has also highlighted Alexander-Arnold's adaptability, noting his tactical intelligence and the importance of squad rotation and positional flexibility. He previously deployed Alexander-Arnold in central midfield alongside Valverde in a match against Inter Milan due to suspensions, a performance Mourinho praised for its tactical execution. Mourinho stressed the need to keep all squad members motivated and prepared to play.
Speculation about a potential departure in the January transfer window has surfaced. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher suggested on The Overlap that Alexander-Arnold made a mistake leaving Madrid and that his creativity has been missed at Liverpool. Carragher pointed to his current third-choice status at Real Madrid as an indicator that the club might be looking to move him on.
Alexander-Arnold will be seeking more playing time in Real Madrid's upcoming matches before the international break. He also faces a battle to retain his place in the England squad under Thomas Tuchel, with his lack of club minutes potentially impacting his selection for upcoming Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain.