Carvajal will be absent for about 3 months due to injury. "Marca" wrote an article stating that Alexander-Arnold, who has returned from injury, has become Xavi Alonso's choice at the right back position. This is also Valverde's only opportunity to return to the midfield.
Real Madrid will spend 5 million euros to pay Liverpool this summer and bear 10 million euros in player salary to ensure that Alexander-Arnold joins and plays in the Club World Cup before the contract expires. However, four months later, the former Liverpool player was hindered from adapting to Harvey's tactical system. In addition, he suffered a muscle injury on September 16 and has never been able to establish a foothold at right back.
With Carvajal retiring from injury, the full-back regained a good opportunity to reverse the situation. He performed steadily during the Club World Cup (except for the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain), but was gradually reduced to a substitute at the beginning of the season due to the return of the captain. Later, his own injury caused Xabi Alonso to follow Ancelotti and transform Valverde into a right back.
The next few months will be crucial for Alexander-Arnold. There is no room for failure in the World Cup year, and Germany coach Tuchel has doubts about his status. If he wants to be called up again, he must show a level close to that of Anfield - the player has been dropped from the national team list for two consecutive periods due to technical reasons and injuries.
For Xabi Alonso, it is almost impossible to arrange Alexander-Arnold in the midfield during Carvajal's absence. The Basque coach rarely uses a three-centre-back system, and the Englishman needs to prove himself at the back. He was a substitute throughout the national derby. In the 72nd minute, Carvajal came on to replace Valverde, but the veteran ended up injured.
The possibility of Valverde returning to midfield has weakened again. The reality is that the Uruguayan's fate is directly linked to Alexander-Arnold's performance. Although he has made it clear that he is willing to obey the coach's arrangements, he is obviously more suitable for the core role of midfielder and is good at penetrating into dangerous areas.
Under Alonso, Valverde's positioning continues to evolve. With the return of Bellingham and the return of Camavinga - both of whom starred in the midfield in El Clasico - the competition for central positions has heated up. In actual combat, the Frenchman even served as a pseudo-right winger against Barcelona, while Bellingham was closer to Vinicius and Mbappe. This tactical role that originally belonged to Valverde is being redefined.
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