Trent Alexander-Arnold blow as Jude Bellingham set for lengthy injury absence

Jude Bellingham could be sidelined for up to four England matches after finally having surgery to address a persistent shoulder problem.

The 22-year-old Real Madrid ace will miss the beginning of the new season following his operation in London on Wednesday. The news is a blow for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who sensationally left Liverpool earlier this summer to play for Madrid at the Club World Cup and become teammates with Bellingham, his close friend.

Alexander-Arnold will now need to start his first full season in Madrid without Bellingham alongside him. And If Bellingham is out of action for at least the first six weeks of the 2025-26 campaign as expected, he won't be available for England's upcoming games.

Thomas Tuchel's players have World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September, which Bellingham is set to miss. Depending on his recovery, he may also be absent for matches against Wales and Latvia in the following month.

News broke in May that Bellingham would undergo shoulder surgery after participating in the Club World Cup for Real Madrid.

Los Blancos confirmed yesterday that the midfield wizard's surgery was completed, although they refrained from specifying how long they expect the former Borussia Dortmund star to be out of action.

It's believed that Bellingham himself is aiming for an October comeback.

Madrid is set to kick off the new La Liga season at home against Osasuna on 19 August.

Xabi Alonso's players were knocked out of the Club World Cup at the semifinal stage after losing to the newly crowned European champion, Paris Saint-Germain.

Bellingham featured in all six of Real's matches at the tournament.

Bellingham has been plagued with problems ever since he dislocated his left shoulder in a La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano back in November 2023.

Last month, before the Club World Cup kicked off in the United States, Bellingham opened up to journalists about his impending surgery.

He said: "I've gotten to the point where the pain isn't so bad. I was tired of playing with the sling. I'm losing a lot of weight from sweating so much, and I'll have surgery after the tournament.

"I've been waiting a while, and my patience is running out, but the physios and doctors have been incredible, and I want to feel free."

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