Real Madrid News
Mourinho changes Real Madrid defensive hierarchy as veteran star drops to third-choice
Jose Mourinho has changed quite a few things at Real Madrid since taking over as manager ahead of the new season.
The Portuguese manager has changed the hierarchies in his squad, with some players gaining more prominence and others falling down the pecking order.
According to Bernabeu Digital, Antonio Rudiger appears to have lost his status as an automatic starter at Real Madrid.
Mourinho is now leaning towards Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen as his preferred centre-back partnership.
The German defender began the season with an important role in Mourinho’s rotation, but things seem to be changing now.
Konate and Huijsen move ahead
Mourinho started Konate and Huijsen together against Real Betis and then repeated the same partnership a few days later against Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Rudiger, meanwhile, had to settle for a place on the bench. That pattern is becoming difficult to ignore, especially in Huijsen’s case.
The young defender has played every official minute for Madrid so far this season, which says a great deal about the trust Mourinho already has in him.
Konate offers the physical power, recovery speed and aggression Mourinho values, while Huijsen gives Madrid greater calm and quality when building from the back.
Together, they currently look like the pairing Mourinho trusts most for the biggest matches.
Rudiger still has an important role
This does not mean Rudiger has suddenly become irrelevant.
Madrid face a long season across several competitions, and Mourinho will need more than two centre-backs.
Rudiger’s experience, aerial strength and competitive personality still make him a valuable option, particularly in games that demand a more physical defensive approach.
However, the situation has clearly changed. Not long ago, Rudiger looked like one of the first names in Madrid’s defence.
Now he appears to be the third option and must fight his way back into the starting XI. There is also the threat of Eder Militao and Raul Asencio.
Both players are recovering from significant long-term injuries, and their return could see the defensive pecking order change further.
Strong competition at centre-back is exactly what Mourinho needs if he wants his team to become more reliable defensively. No player should feel his place is guaranteed simply because of reputation.
Rudiger has more than enough quality to respond, but Konate and Huijsen have earned their current advantage.
It remains to be seen whether the German can fight his way back into the team with his performances in the coming months.
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.
