José Mourinho had a revealing glimpse of Trent Alexander-Arnold's capabilities in Real Madrid's first pre-season game, where the English defender left both good impressions and concerns. Having not represented the England national team at the 2026 World Cup, Alexander-Arnold was one of the standout figures in Mourinho's starting lineup for the friendly against Leganés, held on Tuesday. Although the match was initially scheduled to be behind closed doors, Real Madrid TV broadcast the first half, allowing fans to witness “the Special One's” return to the bench.
During the first 45 minutes, several players shone, with Federico Valverde and Gonzalo García both scoring. However, Alexander-Arnold was the center of attention, showcasing his magical right foot while also reminding everyone of his defensive weaknesses. The 27-year-old defender, who had a debut season marred by injuries, making only 30 appearances, seems to have recovered well over the summer, given his impact in Real Madrid's 4-1 victory over Leganés.
Alexander-Arnold played a crucial role in all four of his team's goals, notably with a brilliant pass that led to the second goal. However, a defensive error that allowed Naim García to reduce the deficit to 2-1 may have overshadowed his performance. García capitalized on a chance where Alexander-Arnold failed to effectively block his shot, a situation that has become recurring in the Englishman's career.
The presence of Denzel Dumfries in the stands also adds a new dimension to the situation of Alexander-Arnold. The new Dutch signing, who joined the club following Dani Carvajal's departure, is closely watching the performances of the Englishman. While many consider Dumfries to be an alternative to Alexander-Arnold, Mourinho may choose to place his trust in the more defensively solid defender. This scenario is not unfamiliar, given that Xabi Alonso made a similar choice at the start of the 2025-2026 season by favoring Carvajal over Alexander-Arnold.
The challenge now for Alexander-Arnold will be to demonstrate to Mourinho that his offensive quality compensates for his defensive shortcomings. With a trophy-laden resume, the England international needs to win the approval of the coach, whose reputation is marked by stringent decisions and high demands. Alexander-Arnold's future at Real Madrid may depend on his ability to adjust his game and respond to the expectations of the new manager.
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