New season, new boss - will Alexander-Arnold be key figure at Real Madrid?

What the report says

Trent Alexander-Arnold is entering a key second season at Real Madrid, with BBC Sport reporting that the England right-back is aiming to establish himself under new manager Jose Mourinho. The article says the 27-year-old is set to begin the campaign after a first year in Spain that was interrupted by injuries, coaching changes and adaptation to a new league, leaving him outside England’s World Cup squad.

BBC Sport says Real Madrid paid Liverpool a reported €10m to bring Alexander-Arnold in early in June 2025, and that he made 35 appearances in all competitions last season, starting 27 times as he shared the right-back role with Dani Carvajal. Despite injury setbacks, he was said to have finished the season more strongly and to have told supporters he felt at home in Madrid after taking time to settle.

The report adds that Mourinho has had a positive view of Alexander-Arnold in pre-season and sees him as a flexible defender who can step into central areas and help in attack. Alexander-Arnold has also spoken warmly about working with the Portuguese coach, describing the methods as demanding. Real have since added Denzel Dumfries, which should keep competition for the right-sided roles high.

BBC Sport says the coming season could be decisive for Alexander-Arnold’s role at Real and could also help his hopes of returning to Thomas Tuchel’s England plans.