Trent Alexander-Arnold's first season after leaving Liverpool for Real Madrid has ended trophy-less and without a place in Thomas Tuchel's England World Cup squad
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold faces fresh competition at Real Madrid next season(Image: David Ramos, Getty Images)
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Real Madrid are considering signing another right-back, according to reports in Spain, as Trent Alexander-Arnold's arrival is not "quite living up to expectations". The former Liverpool vice-captain completed his switch to the Bernabeu last summer, with Los Blancos paying a £10million premium to secure his signature before his contract ran out.
Alexander-Arnold chose to depart his boyhood club and joined Madrid as their latest Galactico acquisition. However, concerns about the defensive aspects of his game persist despite his creativity.
The right-back has been hampered by injuries throughout his first season at the club. They have limited him to 30 appearances and five assists across all competitions.
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He is not in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup having not played for his country for almost a year. Marca suggests that fact exposes weaknesses in Real's full-back department, with potential new signings under consideration.
They say: "The Englishman arrived at Real Madrid as a strategic signing with star status, but even that hasn't guaranteed him a place with his national team. His attacking talent remains undeniable, although defensive doubts continue to plague him in England.
"For Real Madrid, the situation offers a different interpretation. Their signing for the right-back position hasn't quite lived up to expectations."
The Spanish club have bid farewell to veteran Dani Carvajal, a six-time Champions League winner, as he departs the Bernabeu. He had been competing with Alexander-Arnold for a place in the starting eleven, with the club now looking to recruit replacements to plug the gap.
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It comes after the Reds academy graduate admitted that it took him a few months to settle in Madrid. He said on social media: "Madridistas, you have welcomed me with open arms.
"From the first day I arrived, you have had my back. It took me a few months to find rhythm and settle in the new environment, but I feel completely at home now.
“I will take a good break and put the work in over the summer. I promise we will bring trophies back to this amazing club next season.”
It has been a humiliating week for Real Madrid, with none of their full-backs selected for their respective international squads ahead of the World Cup. Left-backs Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras are not in Spain's selection. Ferland Mendy has also been overlooked by France following another campaign disrupted.
Remarkably, Spain's squad - as they attempt to follow up their European Championship success with World Cup glory - contains not a single Real Madrid player. Central defender Dean Huijsen was another individual snubbed by Luis de la Fuente.
"I don't look at one club or another. I don't have that local bias a fan might have. For me, it's more global," the Spain manager explained. "The only thing I want is for these footballers to feel proud of representing the national team."