Trent Alexander-Arnold has had a difficult debut year at Real Madrid, leaving him without a place in England’s World Cup squad as the Spanish giants look to add a new right-back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a difficult first season at Real Madrid (Image: Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Real Madrid are open to adding a new right-back after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s transfer “does not meet expectations”, according to Spanish media.
The former Liverpool star moved to the Bernabéu last summer, with Los Blancos paying him a £10 million signing fee before his contract expired.
Alexander-Arnold opted to leave his boyhood club and became Madrid’s latest Galactico signing, but despite his flair and creativity in the final third, there have long been questions about his defensive abilities.
Alexander-Arnold was plagued by injuries in his debut season at the club, but made 30 appearances in all competitions and provided five assists. The player was recently left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup, and Marca claim this highlights the flaws at Real’s full-back ranks and that the new signing is attracting the club’s attention.
“The English player arrived at Real Madrid as a strategic signing with star status, but that does not guarantee him a place in the national team. His attacking talent is undeniable, but defensive questions continue to plague him in England,” they wrote.
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“For Real Madrid, the situation offers a different interpretation. The signing for the right-back position has not lived up to expectations at all.”
The Spanish giants will see six-time Champions League winner Dani Carvajal leave the Bernabéu. He is competing with Alexander-Arnold for the starting spot and is currently in need of reinforcements to fill that void.
It’s been an embarrassing week for Real as none of their full-backs will be in the national team for the World Cup. Left-backs Fran García and Alvaro Carreras have both been omitted from the Spain squad. Ferland Mendy was also unable to join the France squad after suffering another injury during the season Alexander-Arnold missed with the Three Lions.
Trent Alexander-Arnold removed from England’s World Cup squad (Image: PA)
Incredibly, not a single player from Real is included in Spain’s squad as they look to boost their chances of winning the Euros with further success at the World Cup. Centre-half Dean Huyssen was another man disrespected by Luis de la Fuente.
“I don’t focus on a particular club. I don’t have the local bias that fans have. For me, it’s more global,” said the Spanish manager. “The only thing I want is for these soccer players to feel proud to represent the national team.”
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