Jose Mourinho could use Gareth Southgate blueprint to fix Real Madrid dilemma

Jose Mourinho has been urged to use Trent Alexander-Arnold in a new role at Real Madrid this season.

It comes as he faces a key selection dilemma ahead of their opening fixture.

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Alexander-Arnold enjoyed an impressive debut campaign with the Spanish giants last term.

The right-back joined the club from Liverpool in June 2025 before going on to make 35 appearances across all competitions.

Despite missing three months through injury, he was still able to provide seven assists from defence.

Mourinho has continued to deploy Alexander-Arnold in his usual right-back role during pre-season.

However, European football journalist Andy Brassell believes the 27-year-old could be the solution to Real Madrid’s midfield headache.

With former target Rodri joining Barcelona for £65million, Mourinho’s side have been left looking light in the centre of the park.

Outside of Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga, his options appear weak in the position.

Position change for Alexander-Arnold?

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, Brassell has proposed using Alexander-Arnold to bolster their midfield.

He explained: “I think trying him out there, there’s nothing wrong with it.

“Especially after the Rodri move fell through and they do need someone with vision at the base of the midfield. There’s no doubt about that.

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“Not comparing Alexander-Arnold to Rodri at all, but they’re looking for someone to do that sort of job.

“I do think the player they need in that spot is not necessarily a £150million glamour signing. I think it’s someone who will probably just do a pretty basic brutal job for them.

“Now, maybe Tchouameni can be that guy. Maybe Trent Alexander-Arnold can be that guy. But the link that has been made between them and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, for example, I understand that.

“He’s definitely a Mourinho type of guy. Massive personality. Doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty. Technically a lot better than people would like to admit.

“Of course, he was a playmaker when he came through at Bayern. He’s a bit of a favourite of Pep Guardiola, ironically. So that would make a lot of sense.”

Alexander-Arnold was often used in midfield by former England manager Gareth Southgate during his tenure.

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He most notably featured in the role during Euro 2024, with three of his four appearances coming as a central midfielder.

However, Alexander-Arnold has yet to appear in the middle of the park since signing for Real Madrid last summer.

Who will be Real Madrid’s starting right-back?

Brassell admits the availability of new signing Denzel Dumfries could also be a factor in a potential change of role for Alexander-Arnold.

The Netherlands international will compete with Alexander-Arnold at right-back following his arrival from Inter Milan.

Brassell continued: “I think before fully committing to a Trent Alexander-Arnold experiment in midfield, I think really we have to know that (Denzel) Dumfries can play all the games because he’s had a few injuries over the last couple of seasons.

“Inter obviously still didn’t want to lose him, but I think it makes it kind of easier to move on. It feels as if Djed Spence is younger, he’s going to be more available. That feels like a good thing for Inter to me.

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“I don’t think that Dumfries arriving necessarily means that Trent Alexander-Arnold is not going to get any Madrid games this season. I don’t think that’s the case at all.

“Also, we have to go back and say when he was available last season, he was really, really good as well. He added a different dimension to Real Madrid and the way they played.

“Now if you can bring that into midfield, maybe that’s something else again.

“I think if you’re talking about initiating quick transitions, making the most of Vinicius Jr, of (Kylian) Mbappe, of (Yan) Diomande, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s passing at the base of that midfield could be super useful for that.

“So it’s an experiment that I would very much like to see.”

Real Madrid begin their LaLiga campaign away to Espanyol on Saturday, Mourinho’s first competitive match since returning as manager on a three-year deal.