Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is seemingly making an impression on Jose Mourinho, just weeks after the manager arrived at the Bernabeu.
Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid, speaks with Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid during the pre-season friendly match between Real Madrid and Fiorentina
Trent Alexander-Arnold is facing a new challenge with Jose Mourinho(Image: (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images))
Jose Mourinho has been left "impressed" with Trent Alexander-Arnold, according to reports, just a few weeks into his second tenure as Real Madrid boss.
The former Liverpool defender is facing an important campaign ahead, one year on from his transfer to Los Blancos, after a difficult opening season.
Alexander-Arnold forced a move to Real Madrid as his contract at Anfield came towards an end, with the Reds settling a $13 million fee to release the star early for the Club World Cup.
The right-back wasn't able to string together much momentum through the league campaign, however, as injuries severely impacted his ability to get on the pitch.
There was chaos at Real Madrid as well, which won't have helped, as the club went a second full season in a row without winning a trophy.
The campaign came with a few changes, with Xabi Alonso dismissed midway through the season, before Alvaro Arbeloa took the rest of the year before his contract came to an end.
With Mourinho making a surprise return, there is some hope that Los Blancos can get back to the top with a bit of control again, with a transfer window to back up that investment in the manager.
That included the signing of Denzel Dumfries, who could compete with Alexander-Arnold at right-back, while others have questioned whether he would be the right fit for the manager.
However, BBC Sport reports that Mourinho has been left impressed by the right-back, as he values his performances and the versatility he is bringing to the team.
Considering his ability to move into central areas like a midfielder, the head coach could get great value out of the defender moving forward.
Trent Alexander Arnold player of Real Madrid exercising inside the gym at Ciudad Real Madrid
Trent Alexander Arnold player of Real Madrid exercising inside the gym at Ciudad Real Madrid (Image: 2026 Real Madrid)
It remains to be seen whether that theory will work in practice, as Real Madrid ramps up in preparation for the new season, which gets underway on August 22.
The defender started the first preseason match at right-back, featuring against Fiorentina, while Dumfries was pushed into a right-wing role in the game.
The roles were somewhat reversed in the following game against Ferencvaros, as the Netherlands international started, before his English counterpart came into the side from the bench in the second half.
With a difficult season now out of the way, Alexander-Arnold is looking to make himself a regular top performer for Real Madrid in what could be crucial for the rest of his career there.