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Alexander-Arnold’s Real Madrid prospects boosted by fortunate turn of events
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s initial struggles at Real Madrid have given way to improved fortunes, potentially bolstering his chances of being selected for the World Cup.
This season, Trent Alexander-Arnold has played in 17 matches for Real Madrid, with 12 of those appearances being starts.
Last weekend, Trent Alexander-Arnold's substitution into Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Valencia generated significant interest, marking the former Liverpool right-back's return to action.
Following a two-month layoff, Real Madrid supporters had limited opportunities to see Alexander-Arnold in action this season.
Since his transfer to the Spanish club in June 2025, Alexander-Arnold has been restricted to just 17 appearances across all competitions.
His progress has been hindered by two separate injuries, preventing him from establishing a consistent rhythm and building a connection with the team's supporters.
The departure of Xabi Alonso, with whom Alexander-Arnold had developed a relationship, has also had an impact, as Alonso's tenure as manager lasted less than eight months.
Now that he has regained fitness, the timing appears significant, as the season is entering a critical phase and Alexander-Arnold has the opportunity to reestablish himself.
Real Madrid players have been training while wearing masks, sparking curiosity.
The sudden appointment of Arbeloa has caused a stir in Madrid, leaving many to wonder if the decision was hasty or strategic.
Alexander-Arnold began the 2025-26 season by sharing right-back duties with Dani Carvajal, following a strong performance in the Club World Cup where he started five of six matches.
Spanish media outlets praised his early performances, noting that he showcased his ability to move into the center from the full-back position.
However, his campaign was soon disrupted by a hamstring injury sustained during Madrid's opening Champions League match in September, which kept him out for seven weeks and was seen as a setback for his new chapter at the club.
His return to action in November was particularly notable, as he faced his former club Liverpool at Anfield.
He made five more appearances, with the Spanish newspaper AS suggesting that initial criticism of Alexander-Arnold stemmed from a lack of understanding of his footballing abilities.
Momentum was building, and fans were starting to see the benefits of his signing, but a thigh injury against Athletic Club in December led to another two-month layoff.
Alexander-Arnold expressed his disappointment, stating that he was "absolutely gutted" by the injury.
The setback resulted in him missing 14 matches, until his return to action last weekend.
Despite playing only the final 15 minutes of the match, Alexander-Arnold's return was met with a largely positive reaction from supporters.
On social media, fans expressed their enthusiasm, with many commenting on his performance.
One fan noted that Alexander-Arnold's minutes against Valencia felt like a prime performance, and that the team's style of play changed with his introduction.
Another fan suggested that Alexander-Arnold should start every match, given the impact he had on the game when he came on.
Fans also praised his passing ability, stating that it was satisfying to watch and that football had missed him.
The impressive performance has raised expectations, particularly with the first leg of Real Madrid's Champions League knockout tie against Benfica approaching.
However, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has emphasized the need for caution, prioritizing Alexander-Arnold's full recovery.
Arbeloa stated that the team is taking a cautious approach with Alexander-Arnold, similar to other players returning from injury, to ensure he finds his rhythm and best form.
Arbeloa's comments were his first public address regarding Alexander-Arnold, and they alleviated earlier speculation that the player might not be part of his long-term plans.
The statement signaled that Alexander-Arnold remains a central figure in the club's vision, and Arbeloa's own experience as a former right-back for Liverpool and Real Madrid may help strengthen their relationship.
With Federico Valverde moving back to a central midfield role due to Jude Bellingham's injury, the right-back position has become more fluid, creating an opportunity for Alexander-Arnold to feature more prominently.
Arbeloa now has multiple options for the right-back position, including captain Dani Carvajal, Alexander-Arnold, Valverde as an emergency option, and academy player David Jimenez.
Carvajal's season has been marred by injuries and knee surgery, and despite being fit, he has barely played under Arbeloa, with his last start dating back to September.
The situation is complex, given that Carvajal's contract expires in the summer and there has been little progress in renewing it.
This context positions Alexander-Arnold to become Madrid's primary option at right-back once fully fit, with Valverde and Jimenez serving as alternatives.
It remains to be seen how Arbeloa will manage Alexander-Arnold's reintegration, whether by gradually easing him back into the starting lineup or giving him a key role in upcoming fixtures.
At this stage, Alexander-Arnold's chances of making England's World Cup squad appear slim, primarily due to his limited minutes at the club level.
International selection typically prioritizes form and fitness, and the England coaching staff are likely to favor players who consistently compete at the highest level.
Alexander-Arnold has not had the opportunity to demonstrate the consistency required to challenge for a place in the squad.
He was omitted from Thomas Tuchel's World Cup qualifying squad in August, with Tuchel citing competition from other players as the reason.
Tuchel expressed admiration for Alexander-Arnold's talent and personality but chose Reece James and Tino Livramento instead.
Even if Alexander-Arnold delivers exceptional performances for Real Madrid in the coming weeks, the competition for the England right-back position remains strong.
The challenge for Alexander-Arnold to secure a spot in the England squad will be significant, given the talent and form of other players vying for the position.
As Tuchel readies his team for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay on 27 March and Japan on 31 March, the focus is expected to be on selecting players who have demonstrated consistent performance over time.
Tuchel has also acknowledged the player's abilities, stating that he is "a great player who will always be in contention", indicating that the player remains a strong candidate for selection.
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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role
Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.
Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.
Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.
Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.
As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.
Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.
Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.
According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.
Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.
Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.
Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.
Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.
The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.
Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.
Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.
Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.
Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.
If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.
For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.
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Peter Murrell faces allegations of misusing £459,000 in funds over 12 years
Allegations have been made that he bought various items, such as luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome, in an improper manner.
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, is facing allegations of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

An indictment document obtained by BBC News outlines the case against Murrell, who is the estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The alleged embezzlement is said to have occurred between August 2010 and January 2023, according to the indictment.
It is claimed that Murrell used party funds to purchase luxury items, including jewellery, cosmetics, and vehicles, such as two cars and a motorhome.
The Scottish Sun was the first to report on the details of the indictment.
A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, 20 February, where Murrell is expected to appear.
During his initial court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Murrell made no plea and was subsequently granted bail.
Murrell's arrest in 2023 was part of Operation Branchform, a police investigation into the SNP's funding and finances, which led to him being charged with embezzlement in April 2024.

Although Sturgeon was questioned by police as part of the investigation, she is no longer considered a suspect.
BBC News has obtained a copy of the indictment against Murrell ahead of his upcoming court appearance.
It is worth noting that the indictment is subject to change until the case is heard in court and may be amended throughout the judicial process.
The indictment alleges that Murrell purchased a £124,550 motorhome for personal use and created false documents to justify the expense as a legitimate party expenditure.
Murrell is also accused of using £57,500 of party funds to buy a Jaguar I-PACE car in 2019, and falsifying an invoice to conceal the true nature of the purchase.
Furthermore, it is alleged that when the Jaguar was sold in 2021, Murrell deposited more than £47,000 into his personal bank account.
The indictment also claims that Murrell embezzled £16,489 from the SNP to partially fund the purchase of a Volkswagen Golf in 2016.
A list of over 80 retailers is included in the indictment, where Murrell allegedly made purchases totalling more than £159,000 between 2014 and 2022, using party credit or charge cards for personal expenses.
The retailers named in the indictment include Harrods, the Royal Mint, John Lewis, Homebase, and Argos, among others.
It is alleged that Murrell used SNP credit or charge cards to make these purchases and then inserted false or inaccurate accounting codes and descriptions into the party's accounting systems.
The indictment also accuses Murrell of making purchases worth over £81,600 through Amazon using the same method.
Murrell served as the SNP's chief executive for 22 years before his departure.
Murrell and Sturgeon were married in 2010, but announced their separation in January 2025, after being together for many years.
News
Bangladesh Nationalist Party Wins Landslide in Country’s First Poll Since Youth-Led Protests
The public is looking forward to a shift back to democratic governance, following a 15-year period of authoritarian leadership by Sheikh Hasina.
In a significant shift in the country's political landscape, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has achieved a decisive majority in parliament, 18 months after widespread protests led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, the country's longest-serving prime minister.

The BNP secured over two-thirds of the seats in the recent general election, with the Jamaat party, the main Islamist party in the country, coming in second; meanwhile, the Awami League, led by Hasina, was not allowed to participate in the election.
As the BNP's leader, Tarique Rahman is poised to become the next prime minister, facing significant challenges in revitalizing the economy and restoring democratic principles after 15 years of authoritarian rule under Hasina's leadership.
In a concurrent referendum, voters also expressed support for comprehensive democratic reforms, which are expected to shape the country's future.
Following Friday prayers in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to his supporters, stating, "I am grateful for the love you have shown me"; his party has chosen not to hold a victory procession.
Rahman, who was elected to parliament for the first time, was among the 212 successful BNP candidates; according to the Election Commission, voter turnout was 59.44%.
This marks a significant turnaround for Rahman, who spent 17 years in self-imposed exile in London before taking over as party leader after his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, passed away in December.
During his campaign, Rahman pledged to restore democratic principles and practices in the country.
The new government will need to address pressing issues, including economic revitalization, controlling rising food prices, and creating employment opportunities for the country's large youth population.
Rebuilding relations with neighboring India is also a key priority for the incoming government.
In the aftermath of his victory, Rahman received a congratulatory call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who acknowledged his "remarkable victory".
Modi took to social media to reaffirm India's commitment to promoting peace, progress, and prosperity in both countries, citing their deep historical and cultural ties.
Although the BNP has pledged to bring about change, the party has faced criticism in the past for corruption and alleged human rights abuses during its previous tenure in government in the early 2000s.
The recent election represents a pivotal moment for the country, with one of the two main parties achieving a significant victory, presenting both opportunities and risks.
Proposed constitutional reforms include introducing term limits for the prime minister, establishing a directly elected upper house of parliament, strengthening presidential powers, and increasing judicial independence.
The reforms also aim to increase female representation in parliament, an area where significant progress is still needed, as evidenced by the limited number of successful female candidates in the recent election.
As the newly elected leader, Tarique Rahman will face intense scrutiny as he works to deliver on his promises to a predominantly young electorate eager for change, many of whom participated in the student-led protests that ultimately led to Hasina's removal and paved the way for the February 12 election.
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