Former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has recommended that the Blues explore the possibility of signing Trent Alexander-Arnold on a temporary deal in January, insisting that a loan move could prove advantageous for everyone involved.

According to Daily Post, Johnson believes the England international may become frustrated by his limited opportunities at Real Madrid, potentially opening the door to a return to English football. During an interview with SeatPick, the former defender suggested that Chelsea should consider bringing the right-back back to the Premier League.

Johnson argued that Alexander-Arnold is unlikely to be content with his current situation at the Santiago Bernabéu, adding that a January loan arrangement could represent an ideal outcome for Chelsea, Real Madrid and the player himself.

The 28-year-old completed a move to Real Madrid from Liverpool in 2025 after spending his entire senior career with the Merseyside club. His arrival in Spain generated considerable excitement because of his impressive technical qualities, particularly his passing range, crossing ability and creativity from the right flank.

Despite those qualities, Alexander-Arnold has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter this season. Opta data indicates that he has registered eight appearances in La Liga and the Champions League, playing a total of 434 minutes and contributing one assist. Furthermore, RotoWire reports that the defender has been involved in only two of Real Madrid's previous seven fixtures, demonstrating the difficulty of securing a consistent place in the team.

Johnson believes a loan deal would be a sensible option instead of an immediate permanent transfer. Such an arrangement could help Chelsea strengthen their defensive department without paying a substantial transfer fee upfront. Alexander-Arnold's outstanding distribution, ability to create chances and tendency to move into central midfield could also give the Blues additional attacking qualities.

Real Madrid could benefit from the arrangement as well, particularly if the temporary move allows the defender to gain valuable match experience and return with greater confidence. However, the Spanish club would have to decide whether permitting him to leave during the middle of the season would be the right decision.

Despite Johnson's recommendation, there is no confirmation that Chelsea have approached Real Madrid or initiated formal discussions over a possible transfer. His comments represent his personal opinion on the situation rather than an indication that negotiations are underway.

Ultimately, any January loan agreement would require the approval of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Alexander-Arnold. Real Madrid's willingness to temporarily release the defender to another major European side would be particularly important. For now, his future remains unclear as Chelsea assess potential reinforcements ahead of the winter transfer window.