Maldini's response on whether Alexander-Arnold is a good signing for Real Madrid

After a saga that lasted almost the entire 24/25 season, Real Madrid have officially announced the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold. This signing, desired by many supporters of the white team, is already receiving the first analyses and comments, such as the one made by journalist Julio Maldonado. 

The commentator has no doubt: "I think it's a phenomenal signing for Real Madrid". Indeed, the former "66" from Liverpool, regardless of the defensive system implemented by Xabi Alonso, finds in Alexander-Arnold a versatile player. "He can be an ideal wing-back, because he's a player who gets forward a lot" with a three-center-back defense, "and if he plays with a four-man defense, he's an extremely attacking player".

Julio Maldonado has made it clear that the addition of the right-back is a success given the creativity problems recorded by the white team this season. "With his passes, his team progresses" on the field toward the opposing goal. His ball distribution, especially in terms of length (long passes), is "essential in the team".

"His right foot is a real glove, and I think that's been key. Not only in free kicks, in mid-range shots, but also in long ball distribution", says Julio Maldonado about the English right-back. "All that, for me, is what Arnold gives the most and how he works best" in any tactical scheme at Real Madrid.

Direct and sincere opinion

Despite the versatility shown by the former "66" from Liverpool, Julio Maldonado understands that Alexander-Arnold can't play as a midfielder in Xabi Alonso's tactical scheme. "Madrid need a truly creative midfielder, that's not Arnold no matter how much he may have played there", adds the Spanish commentator.

However, Trent Alexander-Arnold's projection makes him an "eminently attacking" player as can be seen in the shooting and crossing statistics achieved in recent seasons. "I think that's a plus for Madrid", giving the merengue team a new dimension when creating their new attacking dynamics. But not all the news is good with this signing from the Premier League.

"I think he's a player who gets beaten very easily behind", says Julio Maldonado. For the commentator, the English right-back "is a player who attacks much better than he defends", making the white team have to rethink their defense against "truly good" wingers. Thus, the analyst issues a serious warning regarding his addition to the first team.

"For a big team like Madrid, a full-back who attacks better than he defends can work very well... but there will be matches where he's definitely going to struggle, I have no doubt", concludes Julio Maldonado about Trent Alexander-Arnold's fit in Xabi Alonso's team.