Mourinho’s indifference drives Trent Alexander‑Arnold to a crossroads

Inside Real Madrid, Trent Alexander‑Arnold arrives for Sunday’s El Clasico as the club’s third‑choice right back, while Jose Mourinho watches from the sidelines and Kylian Mbappe publicly praises his teammate. There is little debate in Spain about the Englishman’s lost genius, yet his future hangs in the balance.

Mourinho’s selection policy

By CRAIG HOPE, CHIEF FOOTBALL, 24 October 2026, the article notes that one of the cruellest realities is the absence of any debate in Madrid about Alexander‑Arnold’s decline. While we search for answers, those in Spain have little interest in the question.

Heading into the El Clasico, the 28‑year‑old finds himself in a match that monopolises every column inch in the Spanish media, but that coverage has not bothered much with him. He is not a Galactico and remains a backup option, yet fans and pundits continue to wonder what has happened to the fallen star.

Six years ago, Cafu told the world that Alexander‑Arnold could take the right‑back position to another level, arguing that full‑backs should be seen as main protagonists. For a while he was spoken of as a Ballon d’Or contender, even featuring in the top‑25 players list in 2022.

When he joined Real Madrid from Liverpool in the summer of 2025, hope ran high that his undeniable gifts would flourish once more. Despite the high‑profile move, he has become an indifferent figure among fans in the Spanish capital.

Jose Mourinho’s indifference mirrors Thomas Tuchel’s approach with England, and it is now his third boss at the Bernabeu. Mourinho has moved midfielder Federico Valverde to right back and prefers Valverde over Alexander‑Arnold, leaving the Englishman as a third‑choice option.

Terry Gibson, a veteran commentator, expects Alexander‑Arnold to sit on the bench for the upcoming match. He explained that the hope was for Dani Carvajal to start, but after Carvajal’s departure and the signing of Denzel Dumfries, Mourinho still favoured Valverde, later inserting Eder Militao at right back.

Gibson said Mourinho is “fudging it a little” to keep his captain in the team, noting that supporters are non‑plussed about the player’s future. He added that none of the top coaches Alexander‑Arnold has worked under have improved his defensive game, and at 28 that is unlikely to change.

Gibson praised Alexander‑Arnold’s recent performance against Villarreal on 10 October, calling his set‑pieces and cross‑field balls “awesome”. Yet Mourinho took him off at half‑time and he has not featured since, suggesting he will only appear in lesser games.

Mbappe’s backing and a career crossroads

Sources in Spain say Kylian Mbappe loves playing with Alexander‑Arnold, recalling a trademark cross in a 4‑0 win over Malaga that set up a goal for the French striker. The partnership, however, has been limited to smaller fixtures.

With Mourinho preferring Valverde at right back, Alexander‑Arnold remains third‑choice. A headline on his birthday this month read “Trent turns 28 without Mourinho’s confidence”, underscoring the difficulty of regaining the coach’s support. The Englishman now faces a decision about his footballing future.