Trent Alexander-Arnold has been called up for consecutive England camps for the first time in two years.
It’s been a rough ride for the right-back since leaving Liverpool in 2025, failing to make a serious impact at Real Madrid amid a host of nagging injuries.
Alexander-Arnold is still battling for his place at the Santiago Bernabeu, with only four of his seven La Liga appearances this term — from a possible 12 — coming from the start.
However, there are some signs that he is on an upward trend, and he clearly made an impression on Thomas Tuchel during the last international break — starting twice and providing an assist in the 2-0 win away in the Czech Republic.
Numbers improve despite minute frustrations
Alexander-Arnold has always prided himself on his attacking numbers and has long been criticised for an apparent defensive weakness.
At least in terms of raw numbers, the 28-year-old is improving on his performance from last season.
Alexander-Arnold’s per-90-minute production has increased in a host of key metrics, including chances created, passing accuracy, long pass completion, through-balls, take-ons completed and forward passes on one side of the ball. On the other, he’s averaging more clearances, interceptions and recoveries, while he’s only been dribbled past by an opponent twice in La Liga.
The full-back also provided an excellent assist for Kylian Mbappe in Real Madrid’s 4-0 win over Malaga in late August, putting a powerful cross right onto the Frenchman’s foot to leave him with an instinctive finish.
As has been the case throughout this season, Jose Mourinho has rotated Alexander-Arnold in and out of the starting line-up. But he cannot be accused of wasting his opportunities, sitting second among Real Madrid players in La Liga for chances created (2.53) and interceptions per 90 (2.28), as well as through-balls completed (0.51), long passes completed (6.07) and crosses completed (2.28).
In terms of raw delivery, he remains the best player at the club and, at least in his position, one of the very best in Europe.
The big problem at Los Blancos right now is Federico Valverde. Usually a highly effective midfielder, the Uruguayan has been Jose Mourinho’s go-to option at right-back in recent games. Valverde has impressed to the point that both Alexander-Arnold and fellow natural right-back Denzel Dumfries have made only sporadic appearances.
Alexander-Arnold started in a 3-0 away win at Racing Santander at the start of November and was up to his usual tricks, creating two chances, playing nine passes into the final third and six line-breaking passes, and completing both of his attempted take-ons.
But he’s been harshly left out since, failing to see any minutes against AEK Athens and Valencia, while this was his only start at club level since 10th October.
Making an impression on Thomas Tuchel
Alexander-Arnold played more minutes during the last four-game international break (180) than he has in the eight Real Madrid matches since (143).
Crucially, the Merseysider made the most of those chances with the Three Lions.
Alexander-Arnold’s assist in Prague was absolutely trademark, picking the ball up on the right and delivering a perfect cross onto Anthony Gordon‘s head. Across the two games he played against the Czechs, he created seven chances and delivered 19 crosses, showing the sort of final-third effectiveness that makes you question how he still only has 36 senior caps.
It’s undoubtedly those performances that have yielded another call-up for this window.
Alexander-Arnold remains under immense pressure if he is to remain a regular part of the England set-up once again. Djed Spence, Ben White, Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah can all fill his position among this current crop, while James Garner has also covered at right-back effectively for Everton when required.
And that is without considering injured players like Reece James and Tino Livramento.
But if he can produce some more high-class performances as the Three Lions take on Croatia and Spain, that might just convince Mourinho to, in turn, give him a more prominent role with Real Madrid.
It feels like a vital moment in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s career.