Alexander-Arnold Struggles for Minutes at Real Madrid as Transfer Speculation Grows

Trent Alexander-Arnold's start to the 2026-27 season at Real Madrid has been difficult, with the England right-back featuring in only seven of the club's 13 matches and starting just four times. The 28-year-old, who joined from Liverpool in June 2025 for a €10 million early release fee, now finds himself behind Denzel Dumfries and the midfielder Fede Valverde in manager Jose Mourinho's pecking order.

Declining Involvement

Alexander-Arnold has not played in Real Madrid's last four fixtures — against Roma, Sevilla, RB Leipzig and in the Clasico, where he appeared only in stoppage time. His sole assist this season came in a 4-0 home win over Malaga. In his debut 2025-26 campaign, he made 21 La Liga appearances (14 starts) out of a possible 38, hampered by a hamstring injury in September, a thigh problem in December and a pre-season muscle issue.

Mourinho's Explanation

Mourinho acknowledged the difficulty of leaving a player of Alexander-Arnold's calibre on the bench, saying it 'hurts' but insisting team needs come first. The Portuguese coach has deployed Alexander-Arnold in central midfield on occasion, praising his tactical intelligence, but has settled on Valverde at right-back for the moment. Mourinho stressed the importance of keeping the entire squad motivated despite rotation.

Transfer Speculation and Carragher's Verdict

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, speaking on The Overlap, said he would welcome Alexander-Arnold back at Anfield, calling his move to Madrid a 'big mistake' and noting that being third choice suggests the club wants him to move on. With the January window approaching, questions persist over whether Alexander-Arnold will seek a loan or permanent exit.

England Squad Uncertainty

Alexander-Arnold was recalled by England manager Thomas Tuchel for the September internationals after a year's absence. However, his lack of regular club minutes could jeopardise his place in the squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain, with Tuchel due to announce his selection on 6 November.