Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold is under pressure to make an impression at Real Madrid this season, but there are now doubts over his place in the team.
Trent Alexander Arnold of Real Madrid during the Women's Pre-Season Friendly match between RC Deportivo A Coruna and Real Madrid
Trent Alexander Arnold has suffered a setback at Real Madrid(Image: (Photo by LOF/BSR Agency/Getty Images))
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been told he isn't a guaranteed starter at right-back for Real Madrid this season as the former Liverpool star faces a potential setback in his time at the Bernabeu.
The 27-year-old has been with Los Blancos for just over one year now, following his surprise exit from Anfield toward the end of his contract with the club.
Despite making his way through the academy ranks to the senior side, Alexander-Arnold let his deal dwindle until he told Liverpool that he would be leaving as a free agent.
In the end, the Reds agreed a $13.5 million deal to release the defender early so he could join Real Madrid for the Club World Cup, before he competed through the rest of the campaign with issues.
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Injuries hit hard in the early months, and with chaos ensuing behind the scenes for the Spanish club, it didn't seem easy for the star to cement his place in the team.
After a disappointing campaign last time out, Alexander-Arnold is looking to push on and show why he believed he could be a Ballon d'Or contender at Real Madrid in the future.
It will be an important few weeks ahead for those hopes, with the arrival of Jose Mourinho and Denzel Dumfries creating some potential obstacles for the star.
With that in mind, AS editor Tomas Roncero, who covers Real Madrid as one of the leading voices in the local media, believes that Alexander-Arnold won't be a guaranteed starter at the beginning of the campaign.
He said: "Mourinho wants to strengthen the defence, and the Englishman [Alexander-Arnold] isn’t exactly a reliable option behind him [Dumfries]."
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid in a friendly
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been heavily involved in Real Madrid's preseason(Image: Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
It's a brutal assessment and potential setback for Alexander-Arnold, who was accused often in the Premier League of lacking some of the defensive instincts needed to feature as a right-back.
That has seen him moved into different positions under other head coaches, such as the England national team attempting to fit him in the midfield to make the most of his ball-playing qualities.
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With Mourinho's arrival, there is a chance to stamp his authority and become a regular starter, but there is also a chance that he is ruthlessly thrown aside if he doesn't fit what the coach wants.
It means there are an important few weeks ahead for the former Liverpool man when it comes to his career at Real Madrid, and his position moving forward.
If it goes well, then he will almost certainly have that right-back position as his moving forward. If it doesn't then who knows what could be next for Alexander-Arnold.