A damning report from Spain claims Alvaro Arbeloa is not keen on the English defender and could encourage Real Madrid to sell him less than a year after joining from Liverpool
22:16, 14 Jan 2026Updated 22:25, 14 Jan 2026
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid
Alvaro Arbeloa is reportedly not keen on Trent Alexander-Arnold and will encourage Real Madrid to sell the defender(Image: Getty Images)
New Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa reportedly has major concerns about Trent Alexander-Arnold and is already considering the defender’s future at Real Madrid.
Arbeloa was announced as Xabi Alonso’s replacement on Monday following the former Bayer Leverkusen boss’ dismissal after just half a season in charge at the Bernabeu. Arbeloa took charge of his first game as coach on Wednesday as Los Blancos suffering a devastating 3-2 loss against second tier Albacete in the Copa del Rey last-16.
Youngster David Jimenez started at right-back with Alexander-Arnold injured, but reports in Spain are now claiming that the ex-Liverpool man may struggle to regain his place in the side when fully fit.
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According to El Nacional, Arbeloa feels Alexander-Arnold “doesn't fit the playing style he wants to implement and has conveyed this to the club.”
The report adds that the English full-back’s defensive deficiencies mean he is viewed as “doing more harm than good to the team,” and his future is now in “serious doubt.”
El Nacional adds that Arbeloa is of the belief that Real must make compensations to deal with Alexander-Arnold’s inability to control the right flank, while there are also concerns about his fitness record.
Alvaro Arbeloa gives instructions to his players
Arbeloa moves from Real's second team to senior side(Image: Getty Images)
The 27-year-old has been out with a muscular issue since early December and also missed seven games across September and October with a hamstring problem. For this reason, Arbeloa reportedly views Alexander-Arnold as “more of a risk than a solution.”
The report in El Nacional adds that Real has not ruled out selling the Liverpool academy graduate, with no shortage of interest in the Premier League.
It’s a remarkable turn of events for Alexander-Arnold, who hoped his summer switch to La Liga would improve his long-term chances of winning the Ballon d’Or while playing under one of his boyhood Liverpool heroes.
Trent Alexander-Arnold right-back of Real Madrid and England during the La Liga EA Sports match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de San Mames on December 3, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Alexander-Arnold's future at Real looks uncertain(Image: Getty Images)
Instead, due to injury and selection, Alexander-Arnold has started just seven times for Real, while Alonso’s tenure has ended prematurely.
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He is expected to return from injury next month and will come back to a different status quo in the Spanish capital.
At the halfway stage in the season, Real trails leaders Barcelona by four points, but is currently sitting inside the Champions League qualification places for the last 16.