Trent Alexander-Arnold isn't holding back, calling Real Madrid's preseason workload "demanding" as he gears up for his second season in white. The England international spoke to the club's official media, giving an enthusiastic assessment of working under José Mourinho for the first time in his squad.
Valdebebas Is Heating Up (Literally)
The grind at Ciudad Real Madrid has been intense right from the jump. Alexander-Arnold was candid about the opening days at Valdebebas on July 16, saying, "So far, so good. It’s hot and very intense. We’re in preseason, and that’s what we expected. There are a lot of tough sessions, a lot of double sessions, so it’s been intense so far." He stressed the importance of personal readiness, taking responsibility for arriving in condition after the break. "In the summer you have a couple of weeks off and then a couple of weeks getting back into running and regaining your fitness. Now, in preseason, you have to come back in shape. So I was ready and really looking forward to returning." Mourinho's return to the Bernabéu has absolutely dominated the summer narrative, with early work kicking off with a reduced squad.The Mourinho Effect: Intensity and Trophies
Alexander-Arnold clearly has massive respect for the "Special One." He’d faced Mourinho's sides as an opponent before joining Madrid in summer 2025, and now working with him is a "pleasure." His take on Mourinho? "Very good, very good. I’ve always admired the coach. I’ve played against him a couple of times and it’s a pleasure to work with him and his team. He’s intense. The principles and the level of expectation are very high, so I’m looking forward to seeing how, the more we get to know each other, the more we learn and the more he can teach us." The collective ambition is crystal clear: "And we’re all willing and eager to learn and improve. I’m sure he’ll teach us a lot and help us win trophies this year." That's the kind of direct talk you love to hear.Laying the Foundation for a Monster Season
Beyond the team's ambitions, Alexander-Arnold has his own personal priorities for preseason, hinting at a previous spell on the sidelines. His objectives? "It’s about getting in shape, understanding the principles and how the coach wants us to play. Understanding how we’re going to set up and present ourselves for this season. And, simply, getting fit and back in action and regaining our rhythm. I’ve been out of action for a long time, so it’s good to finally be back and lay a good foundation for a successful season." With Mourinho's project rolling, you can bet the squad is putting in the hard yards to hit the ground running for the campaign ahead.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.