Real Madrid boss singles out Trent Alexander-Arnold after statement on return

 Alvaro Arbeloa lavished praise upon Trent Alexander-Arnold after the Real Madrid defender starred on his return from injury, saying the Spanish champions are 'lucky to have' the former Liverpool man.

Alexander-Arnold, 27, has been plagued by injuries during a challenging maiden season as a Los Blancos player, starting just six times in La Liga for his new club. His performances have also been questioned in some quarters, while the manager who brought him to the Bernabeu, Xabi Alonso, left his position last month.

There were even reports back in January that Arbeloa, who has succeeded Alonso at the helm, had told Alexander-Arnold to leave the club, though those claims have since been quashed.

And the former Liverpool right-back waxed lyrical about Alexander-Arnold after he made a statement on his first start for over two months, registering an assist in the 4-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Working with [Alexander-Arnold], he strikes me as a very intelligent guy, who understands the game very well, and quickly grasps what we want from him,” Arbeloa said after Saturday's game.

“He's not the typical full-back who's always going to be out wide, he can also play centrally. We want players to be able to interchange positions. We're lucky to have a player like that.”

Alexander-Arnold will hope that his injury worries are now behind him and will attempt to kick on as he pushes for a place in England's World Cup squad this summer.

Speaking back in November, Thomas Tuchel revealed he would speak with Alexander-Arnold and other players in with a shout of heading to the United States, Canada and Mexico to tell them what they need to do in order to make the plane.

He said: “First of all, it’s my job now to make contact with everyone, players like Trent. Players that are on our long list, 55, 60 players, to reach out to them, be in touch with them, explain to them why they were not here.

“Explain to them what they have to do, where they can improve. Can they even do something or is it just a choice. So this is my job in the next weeks and months.

“I hate phone calls. Better on FaceTime. Then I see the expression, at least, and get a feeling for the person. Or I need to visit them, visit training, training grounds.”