Trent Alexander-Arnold mentioned leaving Liverpool was the “most difficult decision” in his life, however becoming a member of Actual Madrid is normally one of many best to make.
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The document 15-time Champions League winners are the world’s most profitable membership and becoming a member of them as a participant is broadly seen as reaching the top of the sport.
In 2003, Madrid signed David Beckham from Manchester United a participant Alexander-Arnold has typically been likened to for his passing vary and crossing capacity.
“It’s not the case that other teams are bad, it’s just that Real Madrid are the greatest,” England worldwide Jude Bellingham mentioned after he joined from Dortmund in 2023.
The presence of Bellingham, a compatriot and shut good friend, definitely elevated Madrid’s enchantment for Alexander-Arnold whose highly-anticipated arrival was formally introduced on Friday.
The Liverpool academy graduate received all of it at Anfield however his possibilities of profitable silverware extra often are boosted with Los Blancos, so he took the chance of leaving his boyhood membership.
From Madrid’s perspective, securing Alexander-Arnold’s providers on a six-year deal additionally appeared an apparent step to take.
With Dani Carvajal, 33, injured for a lot of the season, right-back has been an issue place. Fede Valverde and the departing Lucas Vazquez have performed there regardless that it isn’t their pure function.
Carvajal will likely be again subsequent season however after his critical knee damage and given his age, whether or not he’ll return on the identical degree is unsure.
Alexander-Arnold, 26, is predicted to type a part of Madrid’s squad for years to return.
The defender’s arrival suits Madrid’s current method of utilizing their super-club standing to rent ‘Galactico’ degree stars on the finish of their contracts.
French striker Kylian Mbappe’s arrival from Paris Saint-Germain final summer season is the prime instance, whereas Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba additionally joined with out a switch charge.
Alexander-Arnold has the attacking vary to please Madrid’s demanding followers, who love full-backs with a penchant for the spectacular, together with Marcelo and Roberto Carlos.
The Liverpudlian, a set-piece knowledgeable, has additionally been utilized in midfield by England which is an space the place Madrid have struggled since Toni Kroos’ departure final summer season.
Sweetening the pot is Alexander-Arnold’s affiliation with Liverpool’s 4-0 thrashing of Madrid’s arch-rivals Barcelona within the 2019 Champions League semi-finals.
The defender created his group’s important fourth purpose after a 3-0 away defeat, with a nook taken shortly to catch out Barca’s defence and tee up Divock Origi to attain.
“When I got to those big occasions, I felt like that’s where I belonged,” Alexander-Arnold instructed FourFourTwo.
“Those sorts of games naturally demand you to play the best that you can and think on the spot, and have those moments of brilliance I was able to come up with one.”
British gamers haven’t at all times discovered it straightforward to adapt to life within the Spanish capital.
Welshman Gareth Bale was vastly profitable at Madrid and but nonetheless ended up as a scapegoat, whereas England internationals Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate by no means utterly discovered their footing.
Bellingham hit the bottom working nonetheless, main Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double in his first marketing campaign, and might help Alexander-Arnold slot in.
The most important considerations round Alexander-Arnold’s arrival relate to his defensive aptitude.
At occasions for Liverpool and England he has been criticised for switching off, permitting wingers to float behind him unchecked.
Madrid’s defensive position has suffered this season as they ended up with out a main trophy.
If new coach Xabi Alonso sticks to the 3-4-3 system he used at Bayer Leverkusen, Alexander-Arnold might thrive in the best wing-back function.
“Because he is so special with the ball, the main emphasis goes on him doing special things with the ball,” defined Liverpool coach Arne Slot in September.
“I think with him it is not about if he is capable of doing things, it’s more can his concentration rate constantly be at 100 percent focus?”
It will not be the primary time Madrid have signed a participant fuelled by optimism over their potential, quite than a extra measured method to squad-building.
In Alexander-Arnold’s case, although, there’s lots to counsel this union will swimsuit each membership and participant.
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