Real Madrid’s plans at right-back could take an unexpected turn next season, with new signing Denzel Dumfries set to move ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold in Jose Mourinho’s pecking order.
According to El Larguero, Dumfries has impressed Mourinho during the opening stages of pre-season and is emerging as the manager’s preferred option on the right side of defence.
The Dutchman’s arrival from Inter for €20 million initially appeared to be one of the quieter moves of Real Madrid’s transfer window, as many expected him to provide competition and rotation for Trent, who was seen as the clear first-choice right-back.
However, the first three pre-season matches have painted a different picture.
Mourinho’s use of both players suggests that Dumfries could begin the new campaign as the preferred right-back, while Trent’s role may develop into something different.
Dumfries moves ahead of Trent in Mourinho’s plans
When Real Madrid signed Dumfries, the expectation was relatively straightforward.
Trent was expected to remain Mourinho’s main option at right-back after an inconsistent first season in Spain.
Dumfries will be Real Madrid’s first-choice right-back. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
Dumfries, meanwhile, appeared set to provide depth and take some of the Englishman’s minutes during a long campaign.
But the distribution of playing time in pre-season has raised questions over that initial assumption.
Against Fiorentina, Trent started at right-back, while Dumfries was used further forward on the right wing. The Englishman completed the match, with Dumfries leaving the pitch in the 75th minute.
Mourinho then switched things around against Ferencváros, with Dumfries starting at right-back, while Trent entered the match during the second half.
The pattern continued against Deportivo, where Mourinho once again selected the Netherlands international from the start and introduced Trent after the break.
Dumfries completed the full 90 minutes against Deportivo, although he moved into a more advanced role during the second half.
As a result, those selections are beginning to show where the Portuguese coach’s thinking lies, with the former Inter defender currently ahead in the battle to become Real Madrid’s first-choice right-back.
Mourinho sees different roles for Dumfries and Trent
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role under Mourinho will be very different. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
The competition between the two players may not be as simple as choosing one traditional right-back over another.
This is because Dumfries offers Mourinho a direct, energetic profile.
He can cover the right flank, attack space and make an impact in advanced areas, as his positional changes during pre-season have already shown.
Trent, meanwhile, appears to be increasingly viewed as a player who can influence Real Madrid’s possession from deeper areas.
His passing ability and vision make him capable of helping organise the team’s build-up rather than simply operating as a conventional full-back throughout the match.
That could explain why Mourinho is experimenting with the pair instead of treating them as direct replacements for one another.