Hutton says Alexander-Arnold would thrive under Alonso at Chelsea

Alan Hutton believes Trent Alexander-Arnold would thrive at Chelsea if he reunited with manager Xabi Alonso. The former Premier League defender made the assessment in a recent interview with OLBG, citing the tactical fit between the two players.

Alexander-Arnold, 28, left Liverpool two summers ago to join Real Madrid. Injuries limited his availability during his first season under Alonso and interim manager Alvaro Arbeloa, resulting in just 21 league appearances. Although fit this campaign, he has started only one of Real’s last six matches in all competitions under Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho has favored summer signing Denzel Dumfries for the right-back role. The Portuguese manager has also deployed midfielder Federico Valverde at right-back in recent fixtures, including El Clasico, where Alexander-Arnold sat on the bench. Hutton noted that seeing Valverde in that position was strange for a midfielder, but he maintained that the Englishman’s talent remains exceptional.

Hutton stated that Alonso would use Alexander-Arnold in the correct manner to maximize his attacking threat. He described the player’s vision and passing ability as top-tier. The former full-back suggested that a return to the Premier League would suit Alexander-Arnold, as he knows the league well and would fit the style of play Alonso intends to implement.

Mourinho admitted that leaving Alexander-Arnold out of the lineup is a difficult decision. The manager said he does not like making players feel bad, but he prioritizes what is best for the team at a given moment. He explained that changing the midfield by inserting Valverde was the necessary move for the squad’s current needs.

Speculation about Alexander-Arnold’s future may grow ahead of the January transfer window. Jamie Carragher, another former Liverpool defender, said he would welcome the player back to Anfield. Carragher acknowledged that Alexander-Arnold would face criticism for his original decision to leave, but he emphasized that the team has missed his creativity.

The Englishman’s current role at Real Madrid has seen him compete for minutes against Dumfries and Valverde. His limited start count this season has fueled discussion about his next move, with Chelsea emerging as a potential destination if he seeks a new managerial setup.