Real Madrid News
Rudiger on the back foot as two Real Madrid defenders lead Mourinho’s preferred centre-back pairing – report
Real Madrid appear to be closing in on their preferred centre-back partnership for the start of the 2026/27 season, with Dean Huijsen and Ibrahima Konate emerging as the leading candidates under Jose Mourinho.
According to MARCA, the two defenders have moved ahead in the battle for starting places during pre-season.
Konate has arrived from Liverpool determined to establish himself immediately, while Huijsen has continued to build momentum after a series of encouraging performances.
As things stand, the pair look well-placed to begin the campaign together.
Konate’s clear objective at Real Madrid
Ibrahima Konate did not join Real Madrid to settle for a place on the bench.
After a difficult final season at Liverpool, the French defender has arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu with a point to prove.
He wants to compete directly for a starting role and offer Mourinho a more reliable presence at the back.
The Frenchman’s biggest strength is that his physical profile gives Real Madrid something different in defence, particularly in duels and situations where the back line needs greater power and authority.
That could prove valuable for a team looking to find more stability after periods of inconsistency last season.
Whether he can turn that potential into a permanent place remains to be seen, but the early signs suggest Mourinho sees him as a serious candidate rather than simply another squad option.
Huijsen’s strong pre-season pushes Rudiger down the order
Alongside him, Huijsen offers a very different profile.
The young defender is more comfortable progressing the ball and has shown the confidence to play through pressure.
While Konate brings physical dominance, Huijsen’s strengths lie more in his composure and ability in possession, a contrast that explains why Mourinho sees the partnership as an attractive option.
The defender, who has taken the No. 4 shirt previously worn by his idol Sergio Ramos, has already made an encouraging start in the jersey.
He impressed during the Teresa Herrera Trophy, helping Real Madrid keep a clean sheet, before following that performance with another solid display against Schalke.
This time, he also made an impact at the other end by scoring with a header.
Notably, his rise has also increased the pressure on Antonio Rudiger.
The experienced German has had opportunities during pre-season but, according to the report, has not yet reached his best level. That has left him trailing behind Huijsen and Konate in the current battle for places.
Rudiger’s experience and leadership remain important to the squad, but based on pre-season form, it appears that he has work to do to regain a place in Mourinho’s strongest starting XI.
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.
