Real Madrid News
Real Madrid identify four untouchable stars as squad planning continues
Real Madrid have important decisions to take from a squad-planning perspective, with sales likely to be considered in the coming weeks.
According to journalist Jorge C. Picon, Los Blancos have established a clear group of untouchable players as they continue shaping the squad for the new season, with only four names considered completely off limits in the transfer market.
The club view Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe as their only truly non-transferable players.
Four players at the heart of Madrid’s project
It is clear that Los Blancos believe these four stars form the foundation of their long-term sporting project.
Courtois remains one of the world’s elite goalkeepers and continues to provide leadership from the back.
Valverde’s versatility, intensity and consistency have made him indispensable, while Bellingham has quickly become one of the team’s defining figures in midfield.
Mbappe, meanwhile, is naturally seen as the centrepiece of Madrid’s attack and the player expected to lead the club for years to come.
Interestingly, Vinicius Jr., whose contract expires in 2027, is not counted as an untouchable.
Clear message for the rest of the squad
Setting the squad hierarchy in stone is a way of sending a clear message to the rest of the squad.
Being excluded from the “untouchable” category does not necessarily mean a player is available for transfer.
Instead, it reflects the club’s willingness to at least consider exceptional offers or make difficult decisions if they believe it strengthens the team.
Players like Gonzalo Garcia, Raul Asencio and Franco Mastantuono are considered likely exit candidates, either on loan or on permanent transfer.
Merit over reputation
What stands out most is that Real Madrid’s untouchable list is based on current importance rather than reputation alone.
Valverde and Bellingham have earned their status through consistent performances, while Courtois continues to be one of the club’s most reliable match winners.
Mbappe, meanwhile, is one of the best players in the world at the moment and had an incredible 2025-26 season.
Madrid are right not to consider any offers for these players, and it remains to be seen what other difficult decisions they are forced to take to prune the squad in the coming weeks.
After a month into the new season, Aurelien Tchouameni is finally back in action for Real Madrid.
The Frenchman made his first appearance of the season for the Merengues last night against Inter Milan after recovering from the muscular injury that delayed his campaign.
His return to fitness had raised questions over where he would fit into Mourinho’s plans.
Tchouameni has been a regular in Real Madrid’s midfield for several seasons under different managers, but the end of last season was far less straightforward.
His confrontation with Federico Valverde, combined with speculation over his future at the club, created uncertainty about his position. His lack of a proper pre-season also appeared to put him behind other midfield options.
Bernardo Silva had established himself as an important figure, while Eduardo Camavinga was also ahead of Tchouameni in terms of match fitness.
With Real Madrid looking for greater creativity in midfield, there were questions over whether the Frenchman would still be a first-choice player.
Key for Mourinho
According to AS (h/t Bernabeu Digital), however, Mourinho has no such doubts. Tchouameni remains a key player for the Portuguese coach and is expected to be a starter.
Mourinho sees the French international as a midfielder without a direct replacement in the squad.
For Jose, Tchouameni provides something that none of the other midfielders in the squad do – a more defensive and positional presence, combining his tactical discipline with considerable physical strength.
His ability to shield the defence and provide balance could be particularly important for a Real Madrid side that want to defend aggressively and attack quickly in transition.
For that reason, his absence at the start of the campaign has not changed the manager’s view of his importance.
Mourinho faces a midfield selection problem
The challenge for Mourinho now is finding a way to fit all the pieces together.
If Tchouameni is guaranteed a starting position and Valverde is considered untouchable as captain, the obvious consequence is that Bernardo could find himself starting from the bench.
The summer arrival had been given an important role in helping Real Madrid control and distribute possession from deeper positions.
However, with Tchouameni and Valverde both occupying midfield places, Mourinho cannot accommodate everyone in the same lineup.
How the Portuguese coach manages that competition will be interesting to see in the coming weeks.
