Making a significant change, especially moving to a new country and club where the language is unfamiliar, can be challenging. For Trent Alexander-Arnold, a player who spent his entire career at Liverpool, making his Premier League debut for the club at just 17, this is the experience he`s facing after his transfer to Real Madrid in La Liga.
Historically, English footballers rarely ventured outside the Premier League, but recently there`s been an increase in young English talent making the move abroad. Jadon Sancho had a successful spell at Borussia Dortmund, Jude Bellingham is excelling at Real Madrid, and Harry Kane now leads the attack for Bayern Munich. Alexander-Arnold is the latest addition to this group, having joined Real Madrid this summer. The transfer, accelerated by Real Madrid paying over $11 million to Liverpool, was completed ahead of the Club World Cup. This extra time has proven beneficial for the English player to get settled. Now, as Real Madrid prepares for the round of 16 match against Juventus on Tuesday, the focus shifts firmly towards competing for trophies.
“The period of settling in is now complete,” Alexander-Arnold stated. “It`s about pushing forward, being the best player I can be, contributing fully to the team, and helping us win as many matches as possible, starting with this competition.”
Regardless of the competition, Real Madrid`s objective is always to win. While this winning mentality isn`t new to Alexander-Arnold from his time at Liverpool, being at Real has only reinforced it. Despite his recent arrival on June 1, facilitated by FIFA`s special summer transfer window for teams in the Club World Cup, Alexander-Arnold is integrating well. Credit is due to the staff for providing extra support to ensure a smooth transition in less than a month.
“The manager communicates with me extensively on an individual basis to ensure I grasp everything being said, particularly as other meetings are conducted in Spanish,” Alexander-Arnold explained. “Both he and the staff go out of their way to make sure I understand the entire game plan. Stepping onto the pitch, you realise the core task is the same, whether you`re playing for a club or internationally – you`re facing an opponent and you have a job to do.”
The environment has been welcoming for Alexander-Arnold, and having a fellow countryman like Jude Bellingham in the squad is also helpful. Given the significant role players like Jeremie Frimpong have had under Spanish manager Xabi Alonso, Alexander-Arnold is expected to be a crucial component in Real Madrid`s quest to reclaim the La Liga title. The adaptation required isn`t limited to the pitch; adjusting to the cultural differences off the field in Spain is also part of the process.
“The language is the most challenging aspect, but it will take some time to fully adapt,” Alexander-Arnold commented. “I felt confident stepping into the game, I felt comfortable. It was always going to take a couple of matches to grow accustomed to playing alongside new teammates, in a new environment, and under a new coach. That was inevitable, but I`m content with how I`ve settled in. The lads have been very welcoming, making me feel at home and comfortable, allowing me to play my natural game.”
With significant changes at Real Madrid following Carlo Ancelotti`s departure, insights like these from Alexander-Arnold shed light on why Xabi Alonso was successful in building the team he did at Bayer Leverkusen. Managing the Galacticos presents a different kind of challenge, but a key element of successful management remains making players feel comfortable and valued so they are motivated to give their utmost effort. This seems to be happening at Real Madrid, where young talents like Arda Guler and Gonzalo Garcia are also being given opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.
Much will need to go right for Real Madrid to surpass Barcelona and secure the La Liga championship, but winning silverware this summer would represent a positive step and an indication that the team is moving in the right direction.
