Real Madrid News
Jose Mourinho sees Real Madrid midfielder as key to adding balance to the team
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni finally made his first appearance of the 2026/27 campaign on Tuesday against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
The France international had been unavailable since being injured at the World Cup and was unable to feature during pre-season or the opening weeks of La Liga.
He was introduced in the closing stages of the game at the Bernabeu as Mourinho looked to calm a game even as Inter threatened to derail Real Madrid’s Champions League opener.
Tchouameni replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had started in midfield because Arda Guler, Bernardo Silva and Eduardo Camavinga were suspended.
The experiment with the Englishman did not fully convince, prompting Mourinho to turn to the most natural defensive midfielder in his squad.
A different profile for Mourinho
Now, according to MARCA, Tchouameni’s gradual return is regarded by Mourinho and his staff as one of the biggest positives for the team’s balance.
Until now, Real Madrid have lacked a specialist defensive midfielder in the double pivot. Bernardo, Federico Valverde and Camavinga all offer different qualities and tend to be more attack-minded than the Frenchman.
Tchouameni’s return is expected to provide greater defensive solidity, with Mourinho & co. seeing him as key to adding more balance to the team.
At this stage, his integration into Mourinho’s starting line-ups is primarily a matter of time, with the Frenchman needing to build some match rhythm after an extended period out.
Four midfielders, four different strengths
Tchouameni’s return gives the manager four midfielders with very different characteristics from which to build the double pivot that has become a defining feature of the team.
The French international is the most defensive of the four and the strongest in duels.
Meanwhile, Bernardo provides creativity, Valverde brings dynamism and intensity, while Camavinga offers a more aggressive option when pressing.
That variety gives Mourinho greater flexibility depending on the demands of each match.
From now on, Tchouameni’s minutes are expected to increase gradually as he regains his rhythm.
Mourinho also has Thiago Pitarch available, another midfielder capable of covering significant ground. As such, the manager now has five options for the central midfield roles.
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
