Alexander-Arnold and Bellingham at Real Madrid

Real Madrid legend Michel Salgado has exclusively told GIVEMESPORT that Trent Alexander-Arnold will seamlessly adjust to head coach Xabi Alonso’s demands following his switch from Liverpool to the Bernabeu, while Jude Bellingham is on course to return to more of an attacking role in the upcoming campaign.

Los Blancos are heading into next season with two England internationals in their squad, thanks to the former arriving from Anfield and penning a contract worth more than £500,000-per-week when bonuses are triggered, and they will go head-to-head with the likes of arch-rivals Barcelona for the La Liga crown.

Salgado Backing Alexander-Arnold to Thrive

England international joined Los Blancos from Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for Real Madrid

Salgado is adamant that Alexander-Arnold is among the world’s leading right-backs and, having been tasked with leapfrogging Dani Carvajal in the pecking order, is on course to make an instant impression after embarking on a fresh challenge with Real Madrid. Speaking exclusively to GMS at the Club World Cup, the Bernabeu icon said:

I think he is a world-class player. He is one of the best right-backs in the last few years, and he is a totally different player to Dani Carvajal. I think Xabi Alonso is going to have very, very good options with both because, for me, he has two of the best right-backs in the world right now.

I think Trent is going to adapt very well to Xabi Alonso’s system because he likes the full-backs nearly as wing-backs. He wants them really high on the pitch, with big pressure. Trent is going to play a big part in this squad in the next years.

Salgado also feels that Bellingham is on course to be handed a more advanced role – like he enjoyed during his first season on Real Madrid’s books – as Alonso looks to aid the central midfielder in his desire to rediscover his free-scoring form. The 49-year-old former Spain international added:

I need Bellingham close to the box. I don’t need Bellingham coming back to receive the ball and to be too much in the build-up. He showed in the first year that he is a player with a special smell to go into the box.

With Xabi Alonso, I think he is going to play that role. I think he is going to be the key player behind Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe. We’re going to see a different Bellingham this year compared to last season. We’re going to see the best version of Bellingham this year, for sure.

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