Why is Alexander-Arnold seen as the heir to Dani Carvajal at Real Madrid?
Real Madrid is entering a period of squad overhaul and views Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool as an ideal addition for the future. Several key players who contributed to their six Champions League titles in the last decade are nearing the end of their careers. While some have left, like Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos, others like Toni Kroos have retired, and a few remain, including Dani Carvajal and Luka Modric.
Real Madrid is considering Alexander-Arnold as a potential successor to Carvajal, as both Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez are in their early 30s. Alexander-Arnold, at 25, has a winning pedigree, having triumphed in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup. His technical skills, sharp tactical mind, and ability to link up with Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid are seen as significant advantages.
However, Alexander-Arnold’s defensive skills have been criticized, as he tends to join attacks and is not as strong in one-on-one defensive situations. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has successfully managed these weaknesses by providing cover with other players, a strategy that Carlo Ancelotti could adopt at Real Madrid using midfielders like Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Eduardo Camavinga.
Ultimately, Alexander-Arnold appears to be a fitting successor to Carvajal, who is approaching 35. The main hurdle is Liverpool’s asking price of 80 million euros.
