Gary Neville and Ian Wright share same ‘problem’ with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Real Madrid move | Football

Both Gary Neville and Ian Wright fear that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive weaknesses could prove a ‘problem’ if he does indeed complete a move to Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at Liverpool in the summer, with reports suggesting he is now on the verge of completing a move to the Spanish giants.

The move would see the 26-year-old depart his boyhood club having come through the academy to become one of the most important players in the past few years.

A chance to challenge himself in a new environment and enhance his global reputation may have both played a part in the potential move which will also see the Englishman link up with close friend Jude Bellingham.

But Neville has warned that Alexander-Arnold should not expect to walk straight into Carlo Ancelotti’s side and will have to work on his defensive capabilities to deliver in the Spanish capital.

‘I said that I thought he [Trent Alexander-Arnold] had to get more serious about his defending – I’ve said that constantly – or else it will cause him problems,’ Neville said on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.

‘I think it will cause him a problem at Real Madrid because they have Federico Valverde, who is playing right-back currently, and Dani Carvajal when he’s back – he’s going to have some serious competition.

‘They are brilliant players, and he’s going to find it tough there. For me, Carvajal is a better full-back than Trent because of what he gives to the team. It’s unbelievable what Valverde is doing for them at the moment, so he’s going to have competition when he goes.’

‘I said he needs to get more serious about his defending, and that was proven by the fact he couldn’t get in the England team for many years, and he gets subbed for Liverpool a lot. I’ve never known a right-back get subbed so many times in important periods of matches.’

Wright, meanwhile, shared similar concerns, adding: ‘What we’ll learn very quickly with Trent at Real Madrid when he gets there is that he will realise the levels.

‘If the defending is something that [needs addressing] – we all know it’s one of his weakest points – he won’t play there.

‘If you look at Valverde and his passing range, Carvajal and his defending, you don’t need to have a player who is there who is doing great stuff going forward.

‘If he goes there with just his offensive power, are they going to play him right-back for him to come inside like he does? If it doesn’t work out for him in respect of his offensive style, there’s so many great players there – that’s what he’s got to contend with.’

Alexander-Arnold is currently working his way back from an ankle injury which saw the full-back miss Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle as well as Thomas Tuchel’s first international break as the new England boss.

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