Real Madrid News
Four major tactical problems Jose Mourinho must solve at Real Madrid – report
Jose Mourinho has had a mixed start to the new season with Real Madrid, with a few solid performances and a few disappointing ones.
Los Blancos lost the Madrid derby 2-1 to Atletico Madrid just before the international break and have to become more consistent after it.
Mourinho is beginning to establish a recognisable Real Madrid starting XI, but several important questions remain unresolved.
The international break gives the Portuguese coach valuable time to consider decisions that could shape his team during a demanding October.
According to Diario SPORT, Mourinho currently has four major tactical issues to address: his preferred right-back, the hierarchy at centre-back, the balance of his double pivot and how to accommodate Arda Guler and Yan Diomande in attack.
Dumfries, Trent and the defensive hierarchy
At right-back, Denzel Dumfries appears to have an advantage over Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Dutchman’s physicality suits Mourinho’s approach.
He gives Los Blancos intensity and defensive security. Alexander-Arnold offers considerably more in attack, but his defensive lapses make his case much harder to argue.
Then there is another decision centrally. Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen currently look like Mourinho’s preferred partnership.
However, Eder Militao is nearing a return from injury, and if the Brazilian can rediscover his best level after his injury problems, Mourinho will have another important decision to make.
Madrid still searching for midfield balance
The more complicated question involves Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde.
Together, they provide athleticism, defensive coverage and enormous work rate. However, they lack the creativity Madrid need.
That is where Bernardo Silva becomes particularly interesting. The Portuguese midfielder offers the control and imagination Madrid lack from deeper areas.
However, his involvement so far this season has been surprisingly limited, and Mourinho needs to find a way to address this after the break.
Guler and Diomande are forcing the issue
The biggest selection headache may ultimately come further forward.
Guler has become increasingly difficult to leave out because of his creativity, while Diomande has shown the explosiveness and directness capable of changing Madrid’s attack.
Finding room for both inevitably has to come at the cost of an established starter like Vinicius Junior, who is not in the best form.
Mourinho has publicly backed the Brazilian and expects him to rediscover his best level. However, there is only so much longer he can keep giving him minutes without the performances.
October is an important month for Madrid and should provide answers. It remains to be seen how Mourinho addresses these key tactical calls in the coming month.
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
