Trent Alexander-Arnold`s journey from Liverpool prodigy to a Real Madrid Galáctico was heralded as a new chapter, a fresh challenge for one of football`s most distinct talents. Yet, barely three months into his tenure in the Spanish capital, the familiar questions that have shadowed his remarkable career are resurfacing with an undeniable persistence: Is his future in midfield or defense? And how exactly does this uniquely gifted player fit into the rigid structures of top-tier international football?
The recent decision by England manager Thomas Tuchel to omit Alexander-Arnold from the squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia was presented less as a punitive exclusion and more as an opportunity for the player to “settle and find his rhythm” at Real Madrid. Tuchel, a self-professed admirer, acknowledged the immense personal and professional demands placed upon a player making the first transfer of his career. This diplomatic framing, however, only thinly veiled the deeper tactical considerations at play.
The Defensive Quandary: A Manager`s Prerogative
For years, Alexander-Arnold has defied conventional wisdom. At Liverpool, under Jürgen Klopp and then Arne Slot, his unparalleled vision and delivery from right-back reimagined the role. Over five Premier League seasons, his expected assists were second only to Bruno Fernandes, and no player delivered more passes into the attacking third. Liverpool`s entire build-up play and chance creation often revolved around his audacious forward forays, a calculated risk that consistently yielded more goals than it conceded.
However, the calculus shifts dramatically in knockout competitions, where margins are razor-thin and one error can spell disaster. Tuchel, a manager renowned for his meticulous, often cautious, possession-based approach – honed during his successful spell with Chelsea – prioritizes defensive solidity above all. His philosophy is simple: keep clean sheets, and you dramatically increase your chances of winning tournaments. This perspective inevitably brings Alexander-Arnold`s defensive vulnerabilities into sharp focus.
“If he wants to have this impact in the English national team,” Tuchel previously stated, “then he has to take the defensive part very, very seriously. Because in tournament football, the one defensive error, the one moment where you are not 100% awake, can be decisive. It can be the moment where you pack your suitcases and go home.” This isn`t theoretical; Alexander-Arnold`s momentary lapse in the 2022 Champions League final, allowing Vinicius Junior to score, remains a stark reminder of this truth. The question for Tuchel is whether he can afford such a risk when England`s aspirations hang in the balance, especially with the likes of Kyle Walker, a revitalized Reece James, and Tino Livramento offering more defensively robust options.
Real Madrid: New Club, Familiar Questions
The challenges aren`t confined to the international stage. At the Santiago Bernabéu, Alexander-Arnold has already experienced the sting of being rotated out of the starting XI. While not entirely surprising given the presence of club captain Dani Carvajal, a stalwart in Madrid`s defense for over a decade, it highlights the immediate competition. The Spanish press, ever watchful, have already weighed in, describing his home debut as “timid” and his decisions as “conservative.” Echoes of the “midfield vs. defense” debate, a dance as old as his professional career, have begun to circulate, despite his struggles in a central role during Euro 2024.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, a midfield maestro in his own playing days, has adopted a pragmatic approach. He views the competition between Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold as “amazing for improving the level of the squad,” promising to select based on the optimal skillset for each specific game. With potentially 60 matches in a season, squad rotation is inevitable, and Alexander-Arnold`s impressive performance against Mallorca, only denied an assist by a marginal VAR offside, shows glimpses of his attacking impact. However, the sheer volume of games and the need for consistency across all facets of play underscore the ongoing adaptation required.
The Path Forward: From Talent to Indispensable
Alexander-Arnold has openly spoken of his ambition to win the Ballon d`Or and his “desire to test myself in a new context.” That context is certainly providing a rigorous examination. To truly become an undisputed starter for both club and country, particularly at Real Madrid where a “job share” is unlikely to satisfy such lofty individual aspirations, a significant evolution is required.
A concerted step forward defensively would be invaluable. This doesn`t necessarily mean sacrificing his creative genius, but rather refining his positional discipline, improving his awareness in transitional moments, and enhancing his one-on-one defending. Last season, under Arne Slot, there were promising signs of Alexander-Arnold adopting a slightly more conservative approach, suggesting he is capable of such an adjustment. The mood music around him, however, will only truly change when the defensive questions are definitively answered. Until then, even the “most brilliantly esoteric right-back on the planet” will continue to grapple with very conventional questions.
