Trent Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid move has already gone from glamour signing to something less settled, and the latest Chelsea links make sense because he no longer looks like a guaranteed starter in Spain. He made just five appearances for Madrid in 2025-26 before a serious hamstring injury in September, then suffered a muscle tear in December that kept him out until February. By the end of the season, Madrid were trophyless and he had 30 appearances and five assists.
Madrid's selection picture
The current season has not given him much time to change that feeling. Alexander-Arnold has made only 4 La Liga appearances for Madrid in 2026 and has played 257 minutes in the league, while his 6.96 rating suggests solid work without locking down the role. In Madrid’s 11 games so far this season, he has also been an unused substitute in five.
Jose Mourinho has turned to Federico Valverde at right-back in place of specialist full-backs, and Denzel Dumfries has played 568 minutes under Mourinho. Valverde has already made 9 La Liga appearances this season, while Dumfries has 7, so Alexander-Arnold is competing for minutes in a wider right-sided picture rather than being handed the shirt.
Klopp put his legacy in context last month, saying: "He is one of these stories that not a lot of clubs can write, but he is someone people will talk about in 20, 30 and 40 years." That remains true of his Liverpool exit, but it does not remove the present-day issue at Madrid, where selection has become the talking point.
Why Chelsea are in the story
The Chelsea link is not being driven by fantasy. Reports say Madrid are open to selling if a suitable offer is received, while Chelsea are monitoring Alexander-Arnold’s situation and are being viewed as a possible destination.
The right-back need gives the link some logic. Chelsea are 4th in the Premier League, Reece James has undergone knee surgery and is expected to miss around three months of action, and James has only 4 Premier League appearances this season. Malo Gusto has 5 league appearances, so the club already have options, but the situation still leaves room for a bigger move.
Xabi Alonso’s name has also entered the discussion. Football365 reported that Alonso wants Alexander-Arnold at Chelsea, while other reporting only goes as far as interest and monitoring. That gap matters, because this is still transfer-rumour territory rather than a done deal.
Alexander-Arnold is not finished at Madrid, and he is not out of the team completely. But the combination of injuries, limited league minutes and changing selection choices has opened the door to speculation, and Chelsea are now part of that conversation.
FAQ
Is Trent Alexander-Arnold likely to leave Real Madrid for Chelsea?
A move is not being presented as agreed or imminent. Chelsea are monitoring Alexander-Arnold’s situation, while reports also say Real Madrid would consider selling if a suitable offer arrives. His limited role in Spain is what has made the Chelsea noise more believable.
Why are Chelsea linked with Trent Alexander-Arnold?
Chelsea’s right-back situation helps explain the link. Reece James has had knee surgery and is expected to miss around three months, while James has only 4 Premier League appearances this season. Chelsea are also 4th in the Premier League, so the idea of strengthening there is easy to understand.
Why is Trent Alexander-Arnold not starting regularly for Real Madrid?
He has not become a settled starter. Alexander-Arnold made just five appearances for Real Madrid in 2025-26 before a serious hamstring injury in September, later had a muscle tear in December that kept him out until February, and has made only 4 La Liga appearances for Madrid in 2026.
What has Trent Alexander-Arnold produced for Real Madrid so far?
By the end of the season, Real Madrid were trophyless and Alexander-Arnold had 30 appearances and five assists. His 6.96 La Liga rating and 257 minutes in 2026 show contribution, but not enough to make his place feel secure.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →
