Real Madrid News
Mourinho could hand two Real Madrid fringe stars their first starts against Malaga – report
Real Madrid’s winning start to the 2026/27 La Liga season could bring an early change of personnel this weekend, with Jose Mourinho considering a first start of the campaign for both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Brahim Diaz against Malaga.
Los Blancos have collected victories over Espanyol and Real Sociedad, but Mourinho is already assessing the need to manage his squad carefully as the demands of the season begin to build.
On that note, the visit of newly promoted Malaga to the Santiago Bernabéu could offer an opportunity to rotate without disrupting the side that has started the campaign so strongly.
According to Defensa Central, Trent and Brahim are among the Real Madrid players being considered for the starting XI after both were left waiting for their first starts under Mourinho.
Trent could finally get his opportunity
The right side of Real Madrid’s defence has been one of the areas under the closest scrutiny since the start of the season.
Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries shared responsibilities on that flank during pre-season, with the former Liverpool player even operating alongside the Dutchman at times.
Mourinho has since opted for Dumfries in the opening league fixtures, leaving Trent to wait for his opportunity, but that wait could end against Malaga.
With Madrid entering a period in which rotation will become important, Mourinho and his staff feel some of the players who have started the season need a brief rest.
They feel that Alexander-Arnold’s technical quality and ability to contribute further forward would also give Madrid a slightly different profile from the right-back position.
Hence, a start against Malaga would offer the England international a chance to make his case after losing the initial selection battle to Dumfries.
Brahim Diaz set for Malaga reunion
Brahim’s situation is more complicated, largely because of the competition he faces higher up the pitch.
Arda Guler has emerged as Mourinho’s preferred option on the right, using the position as a starting point before moving into central areas.
That role has become an important feature of Real Madrid’s attacking structure, meaning Brahim would need to be accommodated without damaging the balance.
The Moroccan international’s strongest route into the lineup could be on the right wing, potentially operating ahead of Alexander-Arnold if both players are selected.
Brahim gave Mourinho plenty to think about during pre-season. A regular in the manager’s starting lineups, he scored the decisive goal that secured Real Madrid’s Teresa Herrera Trophy.
For now, though, his performances have not yet translated into a competitive start, but the Malaga match could present the right moment.
Real Madrid News
Jose Mourinho was always clear about getting rid of Real Madrid midfielder this summer – report
Real Madrid’s summer transfer window was largely successful, not only in terms of securing key arrivals but also in terms of letting go of players who had no place in the dynamics.
One player who stood out in the second category was Dani Ceballos as the Spanish midfielder was frozen out of Real Madrid’s starting dynamics for several years before his eventual departure.
In the end, the club simply let the player leave as a free agent by accepting a contract termination as they saw the salary space freed as a win compared to his presence.
Mourinho’s clear stance
As confirmed in a recent report by Diario AS, Real Madrid’s new manager Jose Mourinho has no doubt that he did not count on Ceballos for the ongoing season.
Being the straightforward communicator that he is, the Portuguese manager directly informed Ceballos that he did not count on him in any capacity, speaking out loud about a fact that was known as an open secret for a long time.
Having clarity that his situation at the club was not going to change, Ceballos pressed to leave and eventually had his way as the club allowed him to walk out of the front door with no transfer fee.
Times were tense
The Spanish outlet also add that the decision to let the player leave with a contract termination was not easy for Real Madrid to accept, especially given that it is a last resort.
In the negotiations between Ceballos and the Real Madrid hierarchy, there were some moments filled with tension and disagreements.
In fact, there was even an initial exit agreement that was reached which was cancelled in the hope of a better outcome.
Eventually, however, both parties reached a fitting resolution and Real Madrid enabled the player’s departure without any hurdles and Ceballos went on to join Real Betis.
Even that move required the player to take a massive cut on his salary, but the saga worked out well for both clubs as the player. From Real Madrid’s perspective, the space created on the team’s roster was worth its weight in gold.
