Real Madrid is already preparing for a significant summer transfer window, even as they remain favorites for this season’s Champions League. There are three possible configurations that Carlo Ancelotti might employ for the 2025/26 season, which include both conventional and innovative formations. Trent Alexander-Arnold may be positioned in a midfield role within an experimental 4-3-3 setup, potentially unleashing his full creative potential. Real Madrid stands as the preeminent club in global football across virtually all metrics. From their numerous Champions League titles to their vast international appeal, they have consistently refused to accept anything less than excellence. Regardless of circumstances, they almost invariably secure silverware each year. What solidifies Los Blancos’ dominance at the pinnacle of football is their relentless pursuit of improvement, even when they appear to have reached perfection. For example, in the 2023/24 season, they clinched both La Liga and the Champions League, yet still managed to acquire Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer. In the summer of 2025, Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to follow in the footsteps of the French star, having confirmed his departure from his lifelong club, Liverpool. The prospect of the Englishman teaming up with Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and others is undoubtedly thrilling. Furthermore, he may not be the only high-profile addition to Madrid this summer, as reports indicate that Dean Huijsen and Martin Zubimendi could also be on their way. The idea of an even more formidable Real Madrid next season poses a daunting challenge for their competitors. To exemplify the potential nightmare this could create, here are three possible formations Los Blancos might adopt for the 2025/26 season.
As the old saying goes, there’s no need to fix something that isn’t broken. That said, the best – and most likely – approach that Real Madrid will adopt next season is the one they are already using, just with new faces to keep the good times rolling. Trent Alexander-Arnold will be deployed in his usual right-back role, and Huijsen and Zubimendi will follow that precedent by taking up spots in centre-back and central midfield.This would not necessarily have to mean a farewell to Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Aurelien Tchouameni, with depth key if any team wants to succeed in the modern game. In this system, you can expect quarterback-like passing from the Liverpudlian, while it will simply be a matter of more of the same from the rest of the team.
English football fans are all too familiar with the highs, lows, and inevitable frustrations of deploying Trent Alexander-Arnold in a midfield three. Gareth Southgate experimented with the idea at Euro 2024, but after just two games, the plan was scrapped, and Alexander-Arnold found himself benched for the remainder of the tournament. However, perhaps at a club like Real Madrid, the script could be rewritten. Carlo Ancelotti is set to leave in the summer, so it will be interesting to see if the new coach see Alexander-Arnold as a right-back or a central player
In this tactical blueprint, the Scouser would be tasked with forging an exciting creative partnership with Jude Bellingham, a player he already shares a well-documented bromance with at international level. This approach would also allow Dani Carvajal to retain his spot at right-back, making for an intriguing dynamic down that flank. There’s little doubt that Alexander-Arnold possesses the technical qualities of a top-class midfielder in theory – the only question is whether he can finally silence the doubters and prove it beyond dispute.With Luka Modric not getting any younger, the midfield could do with a reboot. Adding Alexander-Arnold alongside Zubimendi and Bellingham would certainly be an exciting experiment.
There’s a strange myth in the Premier League that, while Alexander-Arnold excels going forward, he’s a liability when it comes to defensive duties. Time and again, the 26-year-old has shattered this notion – even holding his own against the likes of soon-to-be-teammates Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior in the past. However, if defensive concerns do arise, a 3-5-2 formation with wing-backs could be the perfect solution.With Eder Militao positioned just behind him as a safety net, Alexander-Arnold would have the freedom to drift into central areas and push further up the pitch without the constant fear of being caught out. That said, this setup seems an unlikely choice for Ancelotti, as it would require Vinicius Junior to shift into a more central role while Rodrygo would drop out. Even so, if maximising Alexander-Arnold’s creative potential is the end goal, this tactical tweak could be the key to unlocking his full brilliance.Playing a three at the back would also emphasise the need for an extra centre-back, helping justify any summer approach for Huijsen.