Real Madrid News
27-year-old Real Madrid star has surprised Jose Mourinho most during preseason – report
Real Madrid bid goodbye to long-serving right-back and club captain Dani Carvajal at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
The Spaniard has been a part of Madrid’s folklore over the last decade, and he left huge boots behind despite not featuring much last season.
The club already had Trent Alexander-Arnold in the ranks, but the Englishman had endured a difficult first season in Spain.
Los Blancos proceeded to sign Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan, but there was still some concern regarding both right-back options.
However, according to Defensa Central, Trent has emerged as Jose Mourinho’s biggest positive surprise during Real Madrid’s pre-season, with the English defender making a strong early impression on his new manager.
Mourinho has been particularly impressed by Trent’s performances in the club’s opening friendlies after the right-back returned to training in outstanding physical and mental condition.
Trent bounces back after a difficult season and summer
The report claims Alexander-Arnold arrived at Valdebebas determined to bounce back from one of the toughest periods of his career.
After missing out on England’s World Cup squad, the 27-year-old spent the summer working extensively on both his fitness and mentality with the aim of becoming a key player again.
Those efforts seem to have paid off. Mourinho is said to have been pleasantly surprised by the level Trent has shown since pre-season began.
Mourinho expected to spend significant time improving Trent’s tactical understanding, but instead found a player performing at a much higher level than anticipated.
His display against Fiorentina reinforced that impression, with Trent standing out alongside Denzel Dumfries as one of Madrid’s best performers.
The concerns with Trent and Dumfries
Trent’s woes at right-back have been well documented for quite some time now.
Without an iota of doubt, the Englishman is the most creative right-back of his generation, but his defensive awareness has not always been up to the mark.
His alternative in that position, Denzel Dumfries, has a different issue. He is very good going forward and in recovery defending.
However, the Dutchman’s best football has always come in a back-five formation, where he is allowed to play as a wing-back.
Thus, Jose might have been worried about how to get the best out of his right-back options. It is safe to say that both players have started well to ease those concerns.
Competition remains fierce
Despite Trent’s encouraging start, the battle for the right-back position is far from settled.
Dumfries has also impressed since arriving, giving Mourinho two high-level options for the role.
The Portuguese coach is open to rotating between them depending on the opposition, while he has also experimented with using both players in the same line-up.
This tactical flexibility could allow Jose to play both players on the right flank against opposition where crossing could be a viable threat.
For now, though, the encouraging sign is that Trent has made a great start. The next important step is to maintain that consistency, and it remains to be seen how the 27-year-old gets on under Jose.
One of the main objectives for Real Madrid this summer was to bring in a new central midfielder capable of controlling the tempo and dictating the play from the middle.
A move for Rodri was in the works before the Spain captain decided to sign for FC Barcelona. The Merengues assessed several other options, but ended up not signing any player, with Jose Mourinho deciding to use Bernardo Silva in the double pivot.
One of the midfielders that Real Madrid were looking at as an option was Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace.
The England international has been on the club’s radar for a while now, but the Premier League club never opened the door for a summer departure.
Wharton could be on the market in 2027
However, now, according to The Guardian (h/t Bernabeu Digital), That stance could change next year, as that Palace would be prepared to consider selling Wharton during the next summer transfer window.
As mentioned already, Real Madrid have closely followed Wharton’s situation throughout the summer, although the club ultimately decided against making any further additions to their midfield.
Manchester City and Chelsea also showed serious interest in signing the England international during the summer. However, Crystal Palace were unwilling to sell, effectively ruling out a move for the midfielder.
But it appears that they could open the doors for Wharton to leave in the summer of 2027, potentially paving the way for Real Madrid to make a move.
Real Madrid continue to monitor Wharton
Real Madrid are expected to keep a close eye on Wharton’s progress ahead of the 2027 market. Should they decide they need another high-quality midfielder, the 22-year-old could once again emerge as a candidate.
Manchester City may be less likely to return for Wharton after strengthening their midfield significantly this summer.
Chelsea, however, could remain a potential competitor after failing to add a player in the position during the latest window.
For now, Wharton will remain at Crystal Palace, but the club’s willingness to consider a sale next summer means the midfielder could become a realistic option for Real Madrid in 2027.
