Jose Mourinho’s tactical rethink leaves Trent Alexander-Arnold facing Real Madrid uncertainty

Trent Alexander-Arnold is facing an unexpected challenge at Real Madrid after manager Jose Mourinho began considering a tactical change that could affect the England defender’s role in the new season.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Mourinho is increasingly inclined to make new signing Denzel Dumfries his first-choice right-back. The Netherlands international joined Real Madrid from Inter Milan and impressed the coaching staff during the friendly against Fiorentina, in which the team’s experiment with two full-backs produced mixed results.

The developing situation could force Alexander-Arnold to fight once again for a regular starting place, despite having spent a full season with the club. A series of injuries prevented him from establishing himself as an undisputed first-choice player and has given Dumfries a significant opportunity to compete for the position.

Mourinho’s preference is understood to be based largely on the defensive balance Dumfries can provide. The Portuguese manager is known for placing considerable importance on defensive strength, and he reportedly regards the Dutchman as better suited to that part of the game than Alexander-Arnold.

Dumfries’ defensive qualities could therefore make him particularly attractive for difficult fixtures, when Real Madrid are expected to place greater emphasis on solidity and protection against dangerous opposition wingers. His potential selection would offer Mourinho a more defensive option on the right side of the team.

Alexander-Arnold’s main strengths lie elsewhere. He is highly effective in possession, has excellent control of the ball and is capable of linking play with Real Madrid’s midfielders. Those qualities make him a valuable option when the team wants to dominate possession or build attacks from the back.

However, his limited defensive contribution has increasingly become a concern in matches against threatening wide players. That weakness could count against him in Mourinho’s assessment and leave the England international in a difficult position as he attempts to secure his place in the starting line-up.

Reports suggest Mourinho could use Alexander-Arnold in matches where control of the ball and attacking construction are the priority. Dumfries, meanwhile, may become the preferred choice for major fixtures in which Real Madrid require greater defensive resilience.

If that plan is implemented, it would represent a serious setback for Alexander-Arnold. He moved to Real Madrid in search of an established starting role, but has so far been unable to secure one beyond dispute. He could now find himself on the substitutes’ bench for some of the club’s most important matches.

The full picture is unlikely to emerge until the coming weeks, when Real Madrid begin their competitive fixtures and Mourinho’s selection decisions become clearer. For now, Alexander-Arnold appears to be facing his toughest test since joining the club, with his position in the team dependent on how the manager balances attacking quality against defensive security.