Trent Alexander-Arnold appears poised to finally secure a starting position in Real Madrid‘s defense. During a press conference ahead of the match against Elche, coach Xabi Alonso expressed optimism about the English defender’s improved fitness and performance in training during the international break.
Since joining Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold has struggled to establish himself in the starting eleven, largely due to a significant injury sustained during a Champions League clash against Olympique de Marseille. This setback has hindered his integration into the squad, especially with Dani Carvajal, his main competitor for the right-back position, sidelined for an extended period. Despite this, Alexander-Arnold’s only contributions so far have been limited to brief appearances: nine minutes against Liverpool on November 4 and seven minutes against Rayo Vallecano five days later.
Can Trent Transform Madrid’s Defensive Dynamics?
Now, with Carvajal injured and Éder Militão also unavailable, who has occasionally filled in at right back, Alexander-Arnold has a golden opportunity to cement his place as the first-choice right back. Xabi Alonso seems ready to rely on him more heavily after noticing his hard work at Valdebebas during the break. While Raúl Asencio can provide cover on the right side, his versatility may be better utilized as a central defender given the current injury crisis affecting that area.
Defensive Depth and Tactical Considerations
The situation becomes even more complex with Antonio Rüdiger‘s imminent return from injury coinciding with David Alaba‘s recent setback. This leaves Madrid with three options—Huijsen, Asencio, and Rüdiger—for two central defensive positions. On the right flank, aside from Alexander-Arnold, Fede Valverde remains as a potential alternative; however, Valverde prefers to play in midfield where he can leverage his full skill set.
This scenario sets the stage for Alexander-Arnold to seize this moment and establish himself as a pivotal figure in Madrid’s defense. The question now is whether he can rise to the occasion like Raúl Asencio did during the 2024-25 season or if he will miss out on this chance as Eduardo Camavinga has done in his attempts to secure a consistent role since joining Real Madrid.
As Real Madrid prepares for its upcoming fixtures, all eyes will be on Trent Alexander-Arnold. Will he step up and claim his rightful place, or will he let this opportunity slip away?
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