Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Real Madrid star, faces an unexpected shock that could turn his calculations upside down, after technical director Jose Mourinho began preparing a tactical surprise that could put the English full-back in a real predicament during the new season.
Spanish newspaper "AS" said that Mourinho has clearly begun leaning toward giving Denzel Dumfries, the new arrival from Inter Milan, priority in the starting right-back position, after the friendly match against Fiorentina in which the dual full-back experiment showed mixed results.
Although Trent spent a full season with the team, the recurring injuries he suffered prevented him from establishing himself as an undisputed starting option, which has opened the door wide for Dumfries to compete strongly for the position.
The biggest surprise lies in the fact that Mourinho, known for his preference for a strong defensive side, sees Dumfries as the most suitable player for his tactical philosophy, especially since the Dutchman possesses better defensive abilities than his English counterpart, which gives the team greater balance in difficult matches.
In contrast, Trent realizes that his strengths lie in excellent ball control and the ability to coordinate with midfielders, but his limited defensive contribution has become a burden on the team when facing dangerous wingers, which puts him in a difficult position in front of Mourinho.
Reports indicate that the Portuguese coach may resort to using Trent in specific matches that require ball control and building attacks, while Dumfries will be the first choice in major confrontations that require defensive solidity.
This decision, if implemented, will put Trent in a real predicament, especially since he moved to Real Madrid in search of a starting role that he has not yet obtained, and he may find himself back on the bench in the most important matches.
The full picture will not become clear until the coming weeks, when official matches begin and Mourinho's final choices become clear, but what is clear so far is that Trent Alexander-Arnold faces the toughest test of his career with the Royals, and his future hangs by a thin thread.