Trent Alexander-Arnold’s much-hyped transfer to Real Madrid under the leadership of Xabi Alonso has sparked immense excitement among football fans.
It looks like a dream match: an attacking right-back under a tactical genius. But the reality of modern football is often more complex than headlines suggest.
Beneath the surface, there are serious questions about whether Trent will truly shine in the white of Madrid.
Here are five reasons why he might struggle to settle and succeed at the Santiago Bernabéu.
5. Formation worries: Will 3-4-3 work?
Xabi Alonso is likely to continue using the 3-4-3 formation that brought him success at Bayer Leverkusen. In this system, wing-backs are expected to be everywhere—defending deep, running forward, delivering crosses, and covering large spaces. While Trent thrives going forward, his defensive lapses are no secret. In this setup, there’s no room to switch off. A single wrong step in La Liga could be punished by a moment of magic from top wingers. If Trent can’t match the physical and tactical expectations on both ends of the pitch, he might struggle to nail down a starting place.
4. Defensive doubts: Can he track back in time?
Alexander-Arnold is a world-class passer. His long balls and assists have lit up Anfield. But his defending remains his Achilles heel. He often loses his man or gets caught out of position during transitions. Premier League teams like Manchester United and Fulham have taken advantage of this. La Liga teams are even more tactically sharp. Their wingers are fast, technical, and love exploiting space. If Trent’s defensive tracking doesn’t improve, he’ll be a marked man every week in Spain.
3. Off-pitch adjustment will be tough
Moving from Liverpool to Madrid isn’t just a club change—it’s a whole new culture. Trent will need to adapt to the Spanish language, new team dynamics, and a completely different lifestyle. Former England star Michael Owen faced a similar transition and couldn’t find his rhythm in Madrid. Michael Owen once said, “I felt like an outsider every day in Madrid.” Football isn’t played only on grass. Dressing room chemistry, fan pressure, and media heat can all affect confidence. If Trent doesn’t adapt quickly, it might affect his mental game.
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2. Bellingham and Trent: Midfield clash?
At Liverpool, Trent has grown into a kind of playmaking full-back, often stepping into midfield to dictate the game. But Real Madrid already has Jude Bellingham pulling strings from those same areas. Both players want the ball in similar zones. If not managed carefully, this overlap could cause confusion. Two players trying to control tempo from deep might end up stepping on each other’s toes. Without clear roles, the team’s fluidity might suffer.
1. La Liga demands more defensive discipline
Unlike the Premier League, where intensity can create chances, La Liga thrives on structure and patience. Wingers like Nico Williams and Raphinha know how to stretch full-backs and wait for mistakes. A defender with weak tracking instincts could be exposed again and again. Trent’s margin for error will be slim. If he can’t adjust, he could become a tactical weak spot in Alonso’s game plan.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Madrid move could be brilliant—but only if key issues are addressed. Without defensive improvement, cultural adaptation, and tactical clarity, he risks becoming a luxury player Real Madrid can’t afford.
