In the middle again - but Mourinho says Alexander-Arnold 'not a midfielder'
September 8, 2026 23:14
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho deployed Trent Alexander-Arnold in central midfield for Tuesday’s Champions League victory over Inter Milan — a rare start for the England international this season. The selection came amid a shortage of midfield options, and Alexander-Arnold completed about 77 minutes before being withdrawn shortly after Inter pulled a goal back.
The performance was mixed: he created two chances and attempted more crosses than any Madrid player, but he did not win a tackle and his passing accuracy registered at 83.3%. Mourinho praised his tactical interpretation and effort but insisted Alexander-Arnold “is not a midfielder.”
KEY CONTEXT
- Alexander-Arnold has previously been used in midfield by Gareth Southgate for England at Euro 2024 and was deployed centrally at Liverpool at times under Jurgen Klopp, though both national- and club-level experiments have produced uneven results.
- His inclusion in Madrid’s midfield was driven largely by suspensions to Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva, limiting Mourinho’s options.
- This appearance was only his second start of the season and marked the first competitive match in which he and fellow right-back Denzel Dumfries started together; they had previously started together in pre-season with different positional roles on the same flank.
- BBC Sport reports Mourinho values the player’s versatility, passing, crossing, through-ball ability and set-piece delivery — traits that distinguish him from many traditional full-backs.
WHY IT MATTERS
Alexander-Arnold’s versatility gives managers tactical flexibility: he can provide creative passing and set-piece quality from deeper or central positions, which is attractive when regular midfielders are unavailable. However, the match highlighted the trade-offs of moving him away from right-back — reduced defensive output and some loss of passing precision were visible, and Mourinho stressed the demands of the central role differ from the full-back position. The episode underlines Madrid’s ongoing uncertainty over a settled right-back spot and how the club might balance positional needs with Alexander-Arnold’s strengths.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Mourinho will continue to use Alexander-Arnold in midfield when the club’s regular midfield options return from suspension.
- How the right-back competition with Denzel Dumfries develops, and whether Madrid settles on a regular starter there.
- Any tactical adjustments Mourinho makes to mitigate the defensive and intensity demands Alexander-Arnold experienced in the centre.
KEY FACTS
- Alexander-Arnold started for only the second time this season in the Champions League win over Inter Milan.
- He created two chances, attempted more crosses than any Real player, failed to win a tackle and had 83.3% passing accuracy.
- His midfield inclusion was prompted by suspensions to Camavinga, Guler and Bernardo Silva.
- Mourinho said Alexander-Arnold “is not a midfielder” but praised his tactical work and commitment; he also noted the position’s higher physical demands and that the player “left the pitch with nothing left to give.”
- This was the first competitive start with Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries both in the lineup.