New Season, New Boss: Will Alexander-Arnold Be Key at Real Madrid?
Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold is set for his second season under new manager Jose Mourinho after joining from Liverpool in July 2022. Expectations were high when the 27-year-old arrived, but injuries and managerial changes disrupted his first year with the Spanish giants.
Joining BBC Sport - Football, we explore if Alexander-Arnold can finally establish himself as a key figure at Real Madrid and challenge for a starting role under Mourinho's intense demands.
According to reporting by BBC Sport - Football- Real Madrid paid Liverpool 10 million euros for Alex-Arnold in January, releasing him from his contract early due to the upcoming World Cup.
Injuries and Consistency
Alex-Arnold's first season was marked by injuries that limited his playing time. A hamstring issue sidelined him for seven weeks last September and a thigh problem kept him out for two months in December, preventing him from establishing momentum at the club.
Key stat: He featured in 35 of Real Madrid’s 62 matches across all competitions but was not often first choice behind stalwart Dani Carvajal.New Challenges with Mourinho
With Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa previously in charge, Alexander-Arnold has now faced Mourinho for the full pre-season. The Portuguese manager values his versatility and passing range, which could see Alex move into midfield areas to contribute more.
Mourinho quote: