Aston Villa’s Pau Torres has been speaking to Spanish newspaper [AS](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/solo-veo-al-psg-mas-fuerte-que-madrid-en-el-mundial-n/?id_externo_rsoc=CM_ES_TW), and one of the topics was this summer’s most controversial transfer so far.
Trent Alexander-Arnold arrived at Real Madrid under the shadow of disappointment from Liverpool fans. Many Reds supporters were left annoyed by the defender leaving on a free transfer, feeling it was something which had been engineered over a period of time.
There’s perhaps some truth in that. The Madrid media had made clear for a long time that Florentino Perez didn’t feel the player was someone his club should send a fortune to Liverpool for.
They paid a minimal fee to get him for the Club World Cup, but there was no way Madrid were going to pay something like €80m had Alexander-Arnold not run down his Liverpool contract.
One of the reasons for that is Dani Carvajal, with there still being a lot of faith in Spain around the 33-year-old. Before he picked up a knee injury last year – an injury which in itself will have aided Trent’s transfer – he’d fought his way up to be considered one of the best right backs in the world.
AS asked Aston Villa’s Pau Torres how he rates Alexander-Arnold, having seen him in action for Liverpool, to which he replied: _“He’s a great footballer, with very good feet, a great passer with a magnificent cross and spectacular set pieces. Madrid will suit him very well because it’s a team that attacks a lot, and that’s what he likes most. I think he’ll adapt well.”_
Then they wanted to know if claims about him being weak at defending are correct: _“He’ll have to push himself harder in the toughest matches. It’s not his strongest quality, and he’s aware he needs to improve in that area.”_
When asked who he’d pick between Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold, the Aston Villa player was sure: _“Carvajal, of course. I hope he can return to 100%. When he’s fit, he’s the best right-back in the world. He’s very complete in every way, has leadership, and a commendable attitude.”_