What Xabi Alonso told Florentino Perez privately about Alexander-Arnold’s start

Since arriving, Alexander-Arnold has featured in all four of Real Madrid’s Club World Cup matches this summer.

He registered his first assist in the 1–0 victory over Juventus, delivering a pinpoint cross that Gonzalo Garcia headed in to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

The decisive goal came in the 54th minute, marking a key contribution from the new No. 12.

Now just three games away from potentially lifting his first trophy with the club, the former Liverpool vice-captain is settling into life in Madrid.

Alonso has publicly praised Alexander-Arnold’s attacking qualities and how quickly he’s adapted to the squad, though he’s also acknowledged that the defender still needs to improve his defensive game.

According to Defensa Central, Alonso told Pérez in private that Alexander-Arnold “struggles to let go of the ball because he’s afraid of making mistakes,” suggesting a cautious mindset that may be holding him back slightly.

Despite that, Alonso remains confident in the full-back’s potential, stating that with time and full integration into the team, Alexander-Arnold will become a key contributor, especially with his trademark crossing ability.

It is added: “When he is fully adapted, he will be a great player and he will give a lot of assists like the one for Gonzalo’s goal against Juventus.”

The Spaniard told reporters: “Yes, we have been caught out there, but we have not helped him. Everything takes time, but I am confident that we are going to have a reliable full-back. First we have to improve the collective.”

Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold has revealed how Alonso has ‘gone out of his way’ to help him adapt to his new surroundings.

“The manager speaks to me a lot individually to make sure I understand everything that gets said,” he explained (via The Athletic).

“The meetings are in Spanish so he goes out of his way, and the staff go out of the way, to make sure I understand the game plan.”