Trent Alexander-Arnold has vowed to help bring back trophies to Real Madrid after an underwhelming first season at the club, with his absence from England’s World Cup squad seen as highlighting a major issue for the Spanish giants.
Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid on a six-year deal at the end of May last year, with his Liverpool contract expiring that summer.
The Spanish giants eventually agreed to pay Liverpool £10m to ensure Alexander-Arnold could feature at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Alexander-Arnold has suffered from injuries during his first season at the club, which has seen the 27-year-old make 30 appearances in all competitions, in which he has provided five assists.
Real Madrid suffered a second season without silverware after a campaign which saw Xabi Alonso sacked in January, while recent weeks have seen dressing room unrest.
Alexander-Arnold will have an extended summer after being left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence from the England squad has been highlighted by Spanish media as a sign of Real Madrid’s weakness at full back
Tuchel had warned last year that Alexander-Arnold needed to take the defensive part of the game ‘very seriously’, with the Three Lions boss preferring other right backs in his recent squads.
Spanish newspaper Marca stressed that Alexander-Arnold’s absence highlighted a weakness in the current Real Madrid squad, with none of their full backs having been called up to their national teams for the World Cup.
Left backs Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras have both missed out on Spain’s squad, which notably does not feature any Real Madrid players.
Ferland Mendy also failed to make France’s squad after another injury hit campaign, while departing Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal was also left out of Spain’s squad.
Marca stressed that the international snubs highlighted Real Madrid’s current weakness in the full back positions, with Alexander-Arnold’s situation the ‘most striking’.
‘The Englishman arrived at Real Madrid as a strategic signing with star status, but even that hasn’t guaranteed him a place with his national team,’ Marca wrote.
‘His attacking talent remains undeniable, although defensive doubts continue to plague him in England.
For Real Madrid, the situation offers a different interpretation. Their signing for the right-back position hasn’t quite lived up to expectations.’
Alexander-Arnold has had an underwhelming first season at Real Madrid, who are expected to sign another right back this summer to provide competition with Dani Carvajal departing
The report claims Real Madrid are prepared to enter the transfer market to provide competition for Alexander-Arnold at right back following Carvajal’s exit this summer.
Following Real Madrid’s 4-2 win over Athletic Club on the final day of the La Liga season, Alexander-Arnold thanked fans for their support and pledged to help the club win trophies again.
‘Madridistas, you have welcomed me with open arms. From the first day I arrived you have had my back,’ Alexander-Arnold said on social media.
‘It took me a few months to find rhythm and settle in the new environment but I feel completely at home now.
‘I will take a good break and put the work in over the summer. I promise we will bring trophies back to this amazing club next season.’
Alexander-Arnold is likely to be coached by Jose Mourinho next season, with his return to Real Madrid as manager expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
