Mourinho addresses Alexander-Arnold exit rumours as England star slips to third choice

Jose Mourinho has admitted he feels "sad" about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s limited playing time at Real Madrid, while firmly defending his decision to deploy midfielder Federico Valverde in the right-back position. According to the Mirror ^[1], the Portuguese manager addressed growing speculation that the England international could seek an exit in January, noting that Alexander-Arnold has managed just three league starts this season.

The Mirror reported ^[1] that Mourinho explained his selection policy is driven solely by the team's interests, not personal calculations. He stated that while building a squad with two players per position and playing a third makes him unhappy, he received a "positive reaction" from both Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries when he clarified that the move was not directed against them individually.

The BBC detailed ^[2] Alexander-Arnold’s decline from his arrival in June 2025, where he declared signing for Madrid a "dream come true", to his current status as a third-choice option. The outlet noted that despite a contract running until 2031, his involvement has dropped significantly, with only seven appearances in 13 games and zero minutes in recent clashes against Roma, Sevilla, and RB Leipzig.

Mourinho confirmed to the Mirror ^[1] that Valverde would not start against Racing Santander, leaving the right-back spot open for either Alexander-Arnold or Dumfries. The manager emphasised that he does not believe either player would ask to leave, despite the competitive squeeze. The BBC ^[2] highlighted that injuries, including a hamstring issue in September and a thigh problem in December, disrupted Alexander-Arnold’s debut season, preventing the continuity he needed to establish himself.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher told the BBC ^[2] that he would welcome Alexander-Arnold back to Anfield, suggesting the move to Spain was a "big mistake" due to the loss of his creative influence. Carragher pointed out that Alexander-Arnold is currently behind both Dumfries and Valverde in the pecking order, a situation that raises serious questions about his long-term future in the Spanish capital. While Mourinho insists he wants players to feel good, the tactical rigidity of his system appears to have left the £10million signing struggling for relevance.