Trent Alexander-Arnold has struggled to find regular playing time at Real Madrid since joining on a free transfer in 2025 and a reunion with Xabi Alonso at Chelsea could be the answer

Chelsea has been told to pursue a move for Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid as the England star continues to struggle for game time in Spain.

Real Madrid acquired Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer in June 2025 following the expiry of his Liverpool contract. At that point, Xabi Alonso was managing at the Santiago Bernabeu, having only recently taken charge of the Spanish giants himself.

The 28 year old featured in 35 matches across all competitions during his first campaign in Madrid, but has found opportunities even more limited since Jose Mourinho returned as manager this summer and has been linked with a return to Anfield.

During October, Alexander-Arnold spent three consecutive fixtures across all competitions watching from the bench without being called upon. Mourinho eventually introduced the ex-Liverpool defender in injury time during Madrid's El Clásico triumph against Barcelona on October 25.

He did complete the full match in the victory against Racing Santander on November 1. Yet, on Wednesday evening, he was once again left unused on the bench, failing to feature in Real Madrid's thrilling 3-2 away win against AEK Athens in the Champions League.

Former Tottenham defender Alan Hutton reckons Xabi Alonso ought to bring Alexander-Arnold to Chelsea, where the England international could flourish. Hutton is convinced Alonso possesses the tactical nous to maximise Alexander-Arnold's capabilities.

In conversation with OLBG, Hutton remarked: "Trent Alexander-Arnold could thrive at Chelsea because Xabi Alonso would use him in the correct manner and get the best out of him, because his attacking threat is ridiculous.

"What he sees, his vision, his passing ability, it's right up there. It is strange when you watch Real Madrid, I was watching El Clásico and [Federico] Valverde played at right-back while [Denzel] Dumfries and Trent were on the bench.

"Even for me, as good a player as Valverde is, he's a midfielder, so that would hurt you a bit. It's been a shame that it hasn't quite worked out, but he [Alexander-Arnold] is so talented.

"I think a move back to the Premier League would suit him, he knows it inside out. Someone like Alonso, with what he'd want from him, would use him in the correct manner and get the best out of him."

Last week, Mourinho dismissed rumours suggesting Alexander-Arnold might depart the Bernabeu, stating: "To begin with, it hurts me. I don't like giving bad feelings to players, I prefer them to feel good.

"When you build a squad with two players per position and end up playing a third, it's not something I appreciate. But there are things more important than these feelings, things that matter more for the team at a given moment.

"I felt we needed to change our midfield and play Fede in that position. It was a decision I made for the team, not based on individual players."