What's happening with Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid? "It's not working"

Trent Alexander-Arnold's arrival at Real Madrid in the summer of 2025 was presented as one of the most exciting moves in the European market. The full-back arrived from Liverpool with the status of a global star and with the mission of dominating the right flank of the white side for the next decade. However, the reality the England international has encountered in the Spanish capital differs greatly from the initial expectations generated after his free transfer.

As the weeks have gone by, his impact on the team has gradually lost strength to the point of becoming a regular on the bench. Recent reports suggest that his performances have failed to convince the coaching staff and that his role within the current squad has been drastically reduced. This loss of status has set off alarm bells at the club and sparked a debate over his definitive fit in Real Madrid's tactical setup.

The British defender's lack of minutes is not a matter of chance, but rather the reflection of a series of shortcomings that have come to light in the demanding dynamics of Spanish competition. Various specialized media outlets, with an in-depth analysis published by The Athletic, detail that Trent's main problems lie in his defensive weaknesses, an aspect that at Real Madrid is non-negotiable, especially in the most demanding matches.

The Englishman's defensive weaknesses

The demanding tactical rigor imposed by José Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabéu has brought to light the British full-back's defensive shortcomings. Although his attacking talent and the quality of his ball striking are undeniable, his lapses in concentration when marking and his struggles in one-on-one defensive duels have weighed too heavily in the coaching staff's assessments.

In this regard, the article "Trent Alexander-Arnold's adventure at Real Madrid is not working out", produced by The Athletic, points out that these defensive shortcomings have caused him to lose ground alarmingly in the team's rotation. The full-back has played only a handful of matches and has been strung together on the bench in consecutive games, seeing how other players are getting the better of him in a key position for the stability of the Merengue block.

Internal competition at Real Madrid

"Trent's situation has worsened even further due to the emergence of tactical alternatives within the squad itself. In the early stages of the campaign, summer signing Denzel Dumfries enjoyed the confidence of the Portuguese coach, but the situation has taken a radical turn with a surprising tactical variation.

And according to outlets such as Tribuna, the Uruguayan Federico Valverde has established himself in an unexpected transformation as the starting right-back. The versatility, physical output, and defensive reliability of the Charrúa have fully convinced Mourinho, pushing the former Liverpool player into the background ahead of the most important fixtures of the season.

The salary factor and the exit rumors

Against this backdrop of ostracism, rumors of a possible departure from the white club have not been long in appearing in the international sports press. Various transfer market portals  have recently pointed to an alleged interest from major Premier League clubs, noting that Chelsea would be closely monitoring his situation in the event of a hypothetical escape route.

However, those same reports clarify that an immediate departure from Real Madrid is extremely complex in the short term. The main obstacle lies in the player's high financial demands and in a long-term contract that runs until 2031, figures that complicate any departure deal unless the financial positions between the parties become more flexible.

The club's stance and the future

"Despite the rumors placing him on the way out and the links with British teams such as the Stamford Bridge side—where outlets like OneFootball have assessed market scenarios—, Real Madrid's board maintains a stance of prudence and calm regarding the player's future.

Sources close to the merengue club recall that the project with Alexander-Arnold is long-term and that the player has the necessary room to definitively adapt to Spanish football. The challenge for the 28-year-old full-back now is to absorb Mourinho's defensive demands and regain confidence in training to reverse a situation that currently appears delicate.