Real Madrid News
Real Madrid still monitoring two positions as Mourinho pushes for further signings
Real Madrid have been one of the most active clubs in the summer transfer window across Europe.
Los Blancos have undoubtedly had one of their highest-spending summers in recent times, also backing it up with smart academy sales.
Despite adding as many as six first-team stars to the existing squad, Jose Mourinho still seems keen on more.
According to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, Real Madrid continue to monitor the market for both a new centre-back and a midfielder, with Mourinho keen to strengthen both positions before the window closes.
Mourinho wants two more additions
The Portuguese coach has spent pre-season assessing a heavily reshaped squad, but there are still areas where he would welcome additional options.
Central defence is one of them.
Real Madrid have Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konate and Eder Militao among their options, although injuries and fitness issues have prevented Mourinho from working with his full defensive group throughout pre-season.
Midfield is another position being watched closely.
Mourinho has experimented with several combinations in his preferred double pivot, using players such as Fede Valverde, Bernardo Silva and Eduardo Camavinga. Aurelien Tchouameni is also expected to return after recovering from his muscular problem.
Even with those options, another midfielder remains on Mourinho’s wishlist, with Sergio Martinez mentioned as an option.
Departures required before Real Madrid can move
However, Real Madrid’s position is clear: players must leave before additional signings can arrive.
Even though Mourinho wants more signings, he is already working with an overcrowded first-team squad and will have to streamline it.
Should players who are not in the Portuguese tactician’s first-choice plans leave, that gives him the opportunity to reinforce the team.
This means that Real Madrid could still be active in these final weeks of the window, both in terms of outgoings and incomings.
How many signings are too many signings?
This is a question Real Madrid need to ask themselves. The club have made as many as six signings, which means six new players in the squad, and adding more could be overkill.
As much as new signings can revitalise the group, too many new faces could also spoil the existing harmony in the dressing room and require a period of adaptation.
Real Madrid need to be careful not to change too much in one window, and it remains to be seen how they achieve this balance in these final few 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.
