PHILADELPHIA — Change might be robust, particularly when it entails transferring to a brand new membership in a rustic the place you do not know the language. For Trent Alexander-Arnold, a lifelong Liverpool participant who made his Premier League debut on the membership when he was solely 17, he is experiencing that after his transfer to Actual Madrid in La Liga.
There was a time when English gamers hardly ever left the Premier League, however just lately, there was extra of an uptick in younger English stars making the bounce. Jadon Sancho discovered success at Borussia Dortmund, Jude Bellingham is starring at Actual Madrid, and even Harry Kane is now main the road for Bayern Munich. Alexander-Arnold is the most recent within the listing to hitch these gamers in his summer season transfer to Actual Madrid. A transfer that was expedited with Los Blancos paying over $11 million to Liverpool to make it occur forward of the Membership World Cup. The additional time is paying dividends for the Englishman to settle in. However now, as Actual Madrid flip towards the spherical of 16 with a match dealing with Juventus on the horizon on Tuesday, it is time to shift focus to trophies.
“The settling-in interval is now executed, and it is about kicking on and being the most effective participant that I might be and giving the most effective with the group, and serving to the group win as many video games as potential, beginning with this competitors,” Alexander-Arnold mentioned.
It doesn’t matter what competitors Actual Madrid are in, the objective is to win it, and whereas that is not international to Alexander-Arnold from his time at Liverpool, being at Actual to date has solely helped implement that. Regardless of solely becoming a member of on June 1 throughout FIFA’s particular summer season switch window to make sure groups collaborating within the Membership World Cup may add new gamers, Alexander-Arnold is becoming in, and credit score have to be given to the workers for the additional consideration to make that transition a clean one in lower than a month.
“The supervisor speaks to me quite a bit individually to ensure I perceive every part that will get mentioned, as different conferences are in Spanish. So he goes out of his method, the workers exit of their method to ensure I perceive every part within the sport plan,” Alexander-Arnold mentioned. “And also you step out onto the pitch understanding that i’t the identical it doesn’t matter what membership you play for, in worldwide soccer, you step on the market and also you’re taking part in towards a group and you have got a job to do.”
It has been a welcoming atmosphere for Alexander-Arnold, and it additionally helps that he has a fellow countryman in Jude Bellingham within the squad. Having a key function in Xabi Alonso’s system and seeing what wing-backs like Jeremie Frimpong have executed underneath the Spanish supervisor, Alexander-Arnold can be a key half in serving to Actual Madrid again to a La Liga title. The on-pitch transition is not the one a part of leaving the Premier League for La Liga, as off the pitch, there is a tradition distinction to regulate to in Spain.
“The language is essentially the most tough factor, however it will take a bit of little bit of time to adapt. I felt assured coming into the sport, I felt comfy. It was all the time going to take possibly a few video games to get used to taking part in with new gamers, with new lads in a brand new atmosphere, and with a brand new coach,” Alexander-Arnold mentioned. “That was all the time going to occur, however I am pleased with the way in which I’ve settled in. The lads have been very welcoming and made me really feel at house, made me really feel comfy, and permit me to play the way in which I wish to play.”
With a lot in flux for Actual Madrid as they transfer on from Carlo Ancelotti, perception like this from Alexander-Arnold makes it straightforward to see why Alonso was in a position to construct the group he did at Bayer Leverkusen. It is a totally different sort of problem managing the Galacticos, however a key a part of administration continues to be making gamers really feel at house in order that they need to give their all for you. That is taking place for Actual Madrid whereas younger gamers like Arda Guler and Gonzalo Garcia are getting possibilities to present what they’ll do.
Lots might want to go proper as a way to overtake Barcelona and regain the La Liga crown, however profitable silverware this summer season can be a step in the suitable route to displaying that they are on the suitable path.
