After Real Madrid’s recent match against Mallorca, reports suggest that head coach Xabi Alonso has outlined specific conditions for Trent Alexander-Arnold before he can claim the starting right-back role from Dani Carvajal.
Sources inside the dressing room reveal that Alonso has been impressed with Alexander-Arnold’s technical quality, passing range, and attacking vision. Yet, the Spanish coach remains cautious. He believes that consistency and adaptability will be crucial if the Englishman is to displace Carvajal, who, despite his age, still brings leadership, experience, and defensive stability in high-pressure matches.
Alonso has highlighted three key areas where Alexander-Arnold must improve. First, he must sharpen his defensive discipline and one-on-one duels, as La Liga forwards are quick to punish even small positional mistakes. Second, he needs to develop greater tactical awareness and stamina, proving he can sustain Madrid’s intense pressing style for the full 90 minutes. Finally, Alonso expects him to deliver reliably in decisive fixtures, especially Champions League nights and El Clásico showdowns, where errors are far more costly.
Should Alexander-Arnold meet these demands, insiders believe Alonso will make the bold move of installing him as the undisputed starter. Such a decision would mark a generational shift in Madrid’s defense, with Alexander-Arnold taking over as the future of the position while Carvajal transitions into a mentoring and backup role. Ultimately, the fight for the right-back spot is not just a tactical decision—it represents a defining moment in Real Madrid’s squad evolution.
