Mourinho Has no Plans to Change 28-year-old Real Madrid Star’s Secondary Role

According to a report by Madrid Universal on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Jose Mourinho remains unconvinced by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has struggled to establish himself as Real Madrid’s first-choice right-back despite entering his second season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 28-year-old England international joined Madrid with a reputation for his outstanding passing, crossing and ability to create chances from deep positions. However, inconsistent performances and defensive shortcomings have prevented him from securing a regular starting role.

According to Defensa Central, Mourinho has yet to see enough from the former Liverpool defender to change his opinion. The Portuguese manager continues to favour other options, leaving Alexander-Arnold’s future role in the team uncertain.

Mourinho reportedly requested the signing of Denzel Dumfries after arriving at Real Madrid, having been impressed by the Dutchman’s defensive qualities and attacking contributions. That preference has added to Alexander-Arnold’s difficulties, although Dumfries has also struggled to replicate the form he displayed at Inter Milan.

Despite Dumfries’ inconsistent performances, Alexander-Arnold has been unable to take full advantage of the opportunities available to him. As a result, the competition for the right-back position remains open, with Mourinho continuing to assess different tactical options.

During pre-season, Mourinho explored the possibility of playing both full-backs together, potentially combining Dumfries’ defensive strength with Alexander-Arnold’s creativity. However, developments within the squad have made it increasingly difficult to maintain that arrangement.

The emergence of Diomande and Arda Guler’s involvement in wide attacking positions have further complicated Alexander-Arnold’s chances of securing a regular place. Federico Valverde’s versatility also provides Mourinho with another alternative, allowing him to adjust his selection according to the team’s requirements.

Dumfries has played 568 minutes under Mourinho, but his own position has become less secure in recent weeks. This situation could provide Alexander-Arnold with an opportunity to reclaim a starting role if he can deliver more consistent performances.

Real Madrid’s Champions League encounter against Inter Milan offered another chance to assess Alexander-Arnold’s versatility. With several players unavailable, Mourinho deployed the defender in central midfield, a position he had previously occupied while representing England.

However, the experiment reportedly failed to deliver the expected results, raising concerns about Alexander-Arnold’s ability to control games under pressure and cope with physical challenges. His performance in midfield offered little encouragement for a permanent change of position.

Alexander-Arnold’s most realistic route back into the starting lineup therefore remains at right-back, where his passing range and crossing ability can contribute to Madrid’s attacking play. Nevertheless, he will need to improve his defensive performances to win Mourinho’s confidence.

Until the former Liverpool star can demonstrate that he can make the most of his attacking strengths without leaving the defence exposed, his place in Real Madrid’s starting lineup is likely to remain uncertain.

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