Jude Bellingham has warned Trent Alexander-Arnold that he will be under "insane" pressure at Real Madrid following his move from Liverpool earlier this summer.
The Spanish giants agreed to pay a fee of up to £10million ($13M) to secure Alexander-Arnold’s early release from his Liverpool contract, which has allowed the right-back to play in this summer’s Club World Cup. Alexander-Arnold has featured in both games so far in the US, with Real taking four points from its opening two group matches.
Playing in front of smaller crowds, away from the glare of the hardcore local Real fans, Alexander-Arnold’s start has been afforded an opportunity to ease into life at Los Blancos. But he has already faced some early criticism from the Spanish media, particularly following a mixed debut in the 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal.
He performed better in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Pachuca, playing 78 minutes in the searing North Carolina heat. While Bellingham, whose presence at Real helped convince Alexander-Arnold to leave his boyhood club, feels the defender has started well since his summer switch, he warned that the spotlight will be different when domestic action resumes in La Liga.
“He’s been really good,” Bellingham told the Daily Mail after scoring in Sunday’s victory. “I think the lads have taken to him really well.
“Not only is he an amazing player, he’s a great guy as well. He’s already speaking a bit of Spanish. All the lads were impressed by that.
“It’s just about enjoying himself really. The pressure is going to be insane but I told him he’s here for a reason. He’ll do great things for the club and I think he already believes that he’s got that confidence.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold earned his first win as a Real Madrid player. (Image: Getty Images)
Bellingham, who attracted interest from Liverpool two years ago, is now working under a former Anfield icon. Xabi Alonso played 210 games for the Reds during his playing days, before also completing a move to Real in 2009.
He took charge of the 15-time European champions this summer, and Bellingham feels he can learn a great from the World Cup-winning midfielder.
“He’s a brilliant coach,” said the 21-year-old. “His track record at Bayer Leverkusen was so impressive.
“Obviously as a player, he achieved everything. It’s amazing for someone in my position to learn something from him. I’m sure he’s got a lot of wisdom to give to me, Fede [Valverde], Aurel [Tchouameni], so we’re going to be be like sponges taking everything in and showing it out there.”
Xabi Alonso
Alonso oversaw his first win as Real coach on Sunday. (Image: Getty Images)
Asked where he expects to fit into Alonso’s team, Bellingham replied: “I feel like when I’m free to be complete, that’s when I’m at my best. I think Xabi agrees with me in that sense.
“He’s put me in a position that I really enjoy playing, where I get a lot of touches and I’m involved a lot and I think the team benefits as a result so I’m really grateful for his trust in this game and hopefully going forward, it will be the same.”
Real needs just a point in the final group game against RB Salzburg to secure passage to the last-16 of the Club World Cup, and will face either Juventus or Manchester City in the knockout stages.