Trent Alexander-Arnold should be praised for the selection of a massive challenge at Real Madrid to replace Dani Carvajal.
This is the opinion of European football expert Andy Brassell, who believes that the English star has prepared for a slow start in Spain.
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Alexander-Arnold only scored eight minutes on Saturday with the 2-1 win of Real Sociedad against Real Sociedad, and Carvajal preferred again.
It is the second consecutive away game that the former Liverpool defender was forced to play the second violin to the Spaniard.
Alexander-Arnold also spent most of the 3-0 win against Real Oviedo on the bench and received only three minutes of action.
In contrast, the 26-year-old was not familiar with the fact that he would go beyond the 72-minute brand during each of his two Laliga starts.
Read more about Alexander-Arnold
“At the end of this game, he came for Dani Carvajal, but only to see the game and to give Carvajal a bit for a breather,” said Brassell in Talksports Trans Euro Express -Podcast from Talksport.
“Remember, he still comes back from a fairly big injury. But it’s not just that. Carvajal is defensive security and an experienced player.
“In many ways he is the heart and soul of Madrid. Remember, he was the captain who also started the game yesterday. So he has a symbolic value and play value.
“It was of course interesting to see that Lucas Vázquez played his first game for Bayer Leverkusen this weekend, and he looked pretty good.
“Of course, Carvajal was already there. So it is almost like a well-driven path, you could say that you could say for Madrid’s full-back.
“But he clearly took a look at Alexander-Arnold and Carvajal and thought: ‘Yes, I can’t get in the middle of that.’ Go and find a little safer where I can play a few games.
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Trents ‘massive challenge’ at Madrid
Alexander-Arnold left his youth club in Liverpool in June when Madrid spent 8.4 million pounds him for them Club World Championship.
He showed six times, but an injury ensured that he was powerless to prevent the club’s 4-0 semi-final defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.
The right -back who is without support this season came in for some Brutal reviews from Spanish media after His Laliga debut.
To insult the injury, he was fallen by England Manager Thomas Tuchel and said that his international career could even be over.
“It is a massive challenge that Alexander-Arnold accepted,” continued Brassell. “There were much easier decisions to make for him.
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“He didn’t do it. He chose Real Madrid. And I think he is applauded for it.
“I think the way they bleed it makes a lot of sense. Now I think of course that it has been recognized because he is super intelligent anyway, I think they see his charm offensive in terms of Spanish from the start.
“It is because he is smart enough to know that he takes over a club. And ultimately he will replace this club end.
“But in the meantime, Xavi Alonso really has to have the social approach to master this transition very slowly and to manage Alexander-Arnold’s transition to Spanish football.”
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Alonso surfs the plan for trent
Alexander-Arnold’s first month in Bernabeu is in strong contrast to the way his English buddy Jude Bellingham arrived two years ago.
In August 2023, midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo’s record scored four goals in his first three Laliga games.
However, Alexander -Arnold had no chance of achieving a corresponding remarkable influence in Madrid -and Alonso warned him that he will not be the DE Facto No. 1 in his position.
“Fortunately, we have a healthy competition in the team and they are challenged internally because there are teammates who are ready,” said Alonso last week.
“It also happens in other positions such as middle or wing players. If you deserve it, you will be repeated all year round.”