Real Madrid spent an extra 10 million euros just to secure Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool ahead of the Club World Cup last year, but it took the highly paid right back a little bit of time to get going in his new scenery.
But by the end of the season, Trent was quietly one of Real's best players. He was their main creative force, producing beautiful passes from deep that, really, the forwards should have done a lot better with. And after being snubbed by Thomas Tuchel this summer from the England national team's World Cup squad, Trent has added motivation that Real Madrid only doubled by signing a right back to potentially compete with him in Serie A champion Denzel Dumfries.
Trent has started the preseason with a vengeance under his new manager Jose Mourinho, and in the club's first game against incomin signing Yan Diomande's former employers Leganes, the veteran right back was arguably THE standout player in the 4-1 win over the local rivals.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is going to be vital to Madrid
Not only did Trent Alexander-Arnold assist the opener to striker Gonzalo Garcia, but he also had the cross that led to the fourth, an own goal by Leganes. And in between, Trent had another assist that should have led to a goal but was flubbed by the Real Madrid strike force again.
Trent is one of the best crossers of the football in history, a world class right back, and a player who can take this Real Madrid attack to the next level once they are more functional under Jose Mourinho, Now, Jose loves Denzel Dumfries, and, well, who wouldn't? He is a robust, athletic right back who can progress the ball better than anyone, create, defend at an elite level, and even score goals himself.
But Trent is an even better player, which is why Real Madrid signed him first. He has won a Champions League title and the Premier League twice, which is not something most right backs in world football at the top level right now can boast.
His performance against Leganes, who are a La Liga level club, is worth Mourinho keeping in mind as the season starts. Real Madrid have brought in Marc Cucurella to play full on defense on the left, which should open up Trent to play more attacking on the right and focus on what he does best. And what does he do best? Exactly what Leganes saw: create goals from nothingness.
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