Following a long "will they, won’t they" saga, Trent Alexander-Arnold has finally been announced as a Real Madrid player. With the club’s most successful manager, Carlo Ancelotti, taking over the Brazil national team, Trent will have an opportunity to work with one of the most decorated footballers ever.
Alonso worked with some of the best managers in the game during his playing career. The list includes Rafa Benitez, Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, and outgoing manager Ancelotti. It has often been pointed out that Alonso’s success as a manager can be attributed to his exposure to various coaching philosophies.
A major quality of Alonso at Leverkusen was his ability to get the best out of his players. The Spanish manager has succeeded in elevating the game of talented players and helped those who previously struggled to find form.
Jeremie Frimpong, who moved to Liverpool as a Trent replacement, has benefited from working with Alonso. The Dutch international was a big part of the double trophy-winning team during the 2023/24 season. His goals and assists alongside the other wingback, Alejandro Grimaldo, made Bayer an attacking threat with various options up front.
Don’t be surprised if Xabi Alonso transforms Trent’s entire game
While Trent is good at set pieces, playmaking, and providing assists, his critics have often labelled his lack of defensive rigour as his Achilles heel. Many pundits even suggested that, given Trent's quality on the ball, he should be playing in midfield, and not be restricted to a full-back position, a role that many associate with less talented footballers.
Trent may have been one of the main stars and a local lad who often got the full support of the fans and media at Liverpool, but in Spain, things will not be as easy. Real Madrid is a side full of superstars, and the demands will be even higher.
Trent still needs to win the fans there. This is where the role of Alonso comes in. He is an excellent man manager who can help Trent adapt to his new environment. Alonso’s time at Anfield and the insight about Trent's previous workplace are a bonus point.
Furthermore, Alonso can help Trent improve his defensive attributes and give him various roles that could further enhance his growth as a player. So don’t be surprised if you occasionally see Trent in midfield or on the wings.
While many Liverpool fans are disappointed with Trent’s decision to leave and the way the whole situation unfolded, the 26-year-old English star seems to have made the right decision for his career both in terms of the club he has chosen and above all the manager he will be working under.