Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he is leaving Liverpool — all that remains is for his move to Real Madrid to be rubber-stamped.
But what will he be walking into at the Bernabeu? The general outlook at the club is looking a lot less positive than when the idea of joining Madrid on a free transfer began to take shape in April 2024.
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That month saw Madrid beat Barcelona 3-2 in a thrilling Clasico at the Bernabeu, with Jude Bellingham scoring an added-time winner, all-but securing La Liga for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
A record-extending 15th European Cup (and sixth Champions League in 11 seasons) followed to cap a tremendous first season at Madrid for Alexander-Arnold’s close friend Bellingham. The silverware surely came up in conversations between the two at that summer’s European Championship as England finished runners-up to Spain.
Bellingham was just one of the key players in the Madrid team still in their early to mid-20s — with Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, Eder Militao, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga also looking to star for a decade together at the remodelled Bernabeu.
Bellingham with the Champions League trophy (David Ramos/Getty Images)
Madrid added another world-class forward to their squad last summer when Kylian Mbappe arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in the latest example of the hierarchy using the allure of their club to pick up world-class stars without having to pay a big transfer fee.
As the 2024-25 season kicked off, Madrid appeared set for another spell of domination. But this campaign has not gone well for Ancelotti and his team. Madrid have stumbled in one of the most disappointing and disruptive periods in recent memory.
The first problem was a spate of injuries to the defence in the autumn, especially the long-term issues for right-back Dani Carvajal and centre-back Militao. A previously tight defence has regularly shipped goals.
Mbappe’s arrival has unbalanced the attack, with Ancelotti struggling to find a way to fit the France forward into the side, leading to slumps in form for Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.
As the season progressed, including Clasico defeats to Barcelona in La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana, the losses last summer of Toni Kroos and Nacho, and the decision not to adequately replace either, became clear. The issues were laid bare by the 5-1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
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The latest setback to Madrid came in last month’s 3-2 Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona. The team competed better than in the season’s two previous Clasicos — but the lasting image of the game was defender Antonio Rudiger losing control completely in anger at referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea in the closing stages.
That came in the context of Madrid’s TV station’s campaigns against Spanish officials, with the possibility raised that Madrid may refuse to play the game. It was further reminder of the increasingly erratic and hostile attitude towards all authorities within football — UEFA, La Liga, broadcasters and even the Ballon D’Or organisers are perceived as enemies by the Bernabeu club.
Madrid go into Sunday’s La Liga Clasico away to Barcelona four points behind them. Hansi Flick’s team are favourites to win that game, especially as Ancelotti is missing his entire first-choice back four. Even a draw will realistically end any chance of Madrid retaining the title.
Carvajal has been sorely missed (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The revamped Club World Cup offers a potential bright spot to end the season, but the chances of success are hampered by the problems with the team and doubts about what will happen in the summer. It remains unclear who will be Madrid’s coach for 2025-26 after it was confirmed an agreement has been reached on Ancelotti’s exit, which stars might leave, and whether the issues in the squad make-up will be addressed.
The most likely replacement for Ancelotti would be Xabi Alonso — but it is not immediately obvious how Alexander-Arnold would fit with the front-foot, hard-running tactics used by the Spaniard at Bayer Leverkusen, where athletic wing-backs have been key.
Madrid need strengthening in various areas, particularly more cover in defence and a replacement for Kroos as midfield playmaker. The club’s revenues remain huge thanks to the stadium refit, but paying for that project has meant less money for transfers. In March last year, Madrid’s accounts showed costs for the stadium rebuild stood at €1.76billion ($1.91bn, £1.51bn).
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For more big players to arrive, some first-team players may have to be sold. The reputations of players including Rodrygo, Camavinga and Tchouameni have taken a hit and Vinicius Jr’s long-term future is unclear.
Another potential complicating factor for Alexander-Arnold’s ability to settle into the Madrid XI is that Carvajal, 33, is nearing a return to fitness and could play at the Club World Cup. The struggles without him have only increased the captain’s reputation, with his leadership and influence around the squad badly missed.
Kroos’ retirement has left a gaping hole in midfield (Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Alexander-Arnold has shown adaptability and versatility over his career, and the idea of him slotting into Kroos’ deep lying playmaker role is tantalising. Demands from fans and pundits are high at the Bernabeu, though, and Mbappe is not the first ‘galactico’ to be whistled by the fans when he did not immediately impress. Alexander-Arnold will be under pressure to deliver from the start.
Part of Madrid’s unique nature is just how quickly things can change. The last 12 months have seen glorious triumph turn into dismay. The players who make a lasting impression are those who can handle the pressure and perform in the biggest moments.
Alexander-Arnold has the self-confidence and talent to make himself invaluable to whoever is their next coach. His friendship with Bellingham should mean he knows what he is getting himself into. But the challenge looks a lot more difficult than it did when Madrid first made their move.
(Top photo: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
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