.jpg)
6 hours ago
1
England boss Thomas Tuchel has no doubt Trent Alexander-Arnold will be a major success at Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old has completed a switch to the Spanish capital after a tense final few weeks at Liverpool following Arne Slot's Premier League title win.
Alexander-Arnold indicated his intention to leave Merseyside when his contract expired at the end of June with the suggestion he would join Los Blancos as a free agent.
However, with Xabi Alonso determined to bring him in before the June 10 squad deadline for the FIFA Club World Cup, Real Madrid were forced to pay a transfer fee to release the England international three weeks early from Anfield.
Slot secured a £10m [$13.5m] windfall, as the Liverpool hierarchy stood firm on their homegrown star, but he will be on the flight to the USA with his new teammates.
Alexander-Arnold came off the bench in England's narrow 1-0 2026 World Cup qualifying win over Andorra on June 7 - as Harry Kane netted a second-half clincher in Barcelona - and he is expected to start the friendly against Senegal on June 10.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
It's unclear if he will fly to Madrid before jetting off to the USA, but Tuchel is confident his right-back is ready for the challenge, amid the white-hot pressure of Madrid.
"I think he has what it takes to play for that club. For [his] outstanding quality, self-awareness of his quality – I think Trent is well aware of what he does really, really good,” as per ITV Sport.
"He can influence matches with one or two actions, with his crosses, passes, switches of play. I can see he has what it takes."
Trent Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid debut, squad number, position
Real Madrid kick off their Club World Cup campaign with a Group H clash against Al Hilal in Miami on June 18 with Trent primed for his club debut.
Alonso has not indicated if he will start against the Saudi Pro League side, but the plan is to bring him up to speed as soon as possible, with the former Bayer Leverkusen coach keen to stamp his authority on the squad.
Dani Carvajal will travel with the squad, but his match fitness is unclear, as the Spain international returns from an ACL tear this summer.
Alonso is unlikely to tweak Alexander-Arnold's starting position too much - with the expectation he will start at right-back in defensive four - but his position in and out of possession will be evolved.
A switch to a Leverkusen-style back three may not work in Madrid, despite Alonso's preference for it, and keeping Trent in more familiar surroundings will be the first step.
Confirmation is still pending, but reports from Diario AS. state Trent will be offered either the No.17 or No.18 shirt in the Spanish capital, with La Liga rules capping squad numbers at No.25.
English (US)