Real Madrid News
Jose Mourinho identifies Real Madrid’s weak link, formulates plan to make it right
Real Madrid may have finished La Liga with the league’s best defensive numbers last season, but that statistic hides the harsh reality and struggle of the club in that department.
Plagued by injuries, both Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa struggled to find a winning centre-back combination throughout the season.
In fact, it was the fragile defence that cost the team heavily at the end of the season across all competitions, and the board thus see it to be non-negotiable for the department to see a revamp this summer.
Mourinho’s priority
As reported by MARCA, Jose Mourinho has openly told Real Madrid’s administration that the defence is the team’s biggest weakness across all positions across the field.
His top priority, thus, is to build a more solid and reliable back-line with sufficient quality and depth to coast through the entire season even if injuries strike once more.
Over the years, the manager has carved out a reputation for himself of being one of the best assemblers of defensive units, and given how that is exactly what Los Blancos require, his appointment may seriously help.
A need for specific profiles
The Spanish outlet also further the exact profiles Mourinho is looking for across all the defensive positions – and it is clear that he has very clear priorities.
Mourinho is looking for central defenders who are capable of adapting to different scenarios and are flexible with their positioning and he admires the likes of Josko Gvardiol and Riccardo Calafiori in that front.
For his full-backs, meanwhile, the coach expects to have players with complementary profiles. That implies that he wants one of his full-backs to be attacking and another one to be defence-centred so as to ensure stability at the back.
Further, he sees such a setup to be useful to modify the formula according to the team’s needs and match-states – something he feels is essential for a winning project.
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.
