Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly designated four players as 'untouchable' in his first-team lineup as the club prepares for the upcoming LaLiga season. The team has undergone a significant squad overhaul with six new signings this summer, including the notable acquisition of winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig for £120 million. Other additions include Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konate on free transfers, alongside Marc Cucurella, Carlos Espi, and Denzel Dumfries, bringing the total summer spending to approximately £205 million.
Mourinho is said to be implementing a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the identified 'untouchables' forming the front four: Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Yan Diomande. This strategic approach suggests a focus on attacking prowess, potentially marking a shift from Mourinho's traditionally pragmatic style.
Squad Competition and New Signings
The remainder of the squad faces significant competition for starting roles. Trent Alexander-Arnold, a high-profile arrival, is expected to contend with Denzel Dumfries for the right-back position. Dumfries brings a strong resume, having won two Serie A titles with Inter Milan and reached two Champions League finals. Alexander-Arnold has played only slightly more minutes than Dumfries in pre-season, highlighting the close competition.
Bernardo Silva also faces a challenging path to consistent minutes, competing with Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Eduardo Camavinga in midfield. Silva, who joined from Manchester City after nine seasons, offers a new dimension to Madrid's midfield, though Mourinho has reportedly expressed concerns about his fitness during pre-season.
The club is aiming to re-establish its dominance after two seasons where they were outperformed by Barcelona domestically and Paris Saint-Germain in continental competitions. Real Madrid last secured both the LaLiga title and the Champions League in the 2023-24 season.
Mourinho's tenure at Real Madrid begins after a period marked by varied success at previous clubs. His last league title came with Chelsea in the 2014-15 season. While he achieved reasonable success with Manchester United and Roma, his stints at Tottenham, Fenerbahce, and Benfica did not meet his self-imposed high standards. The manager's return to prominence is also highlighted by the release of a new Netflix documentary about his career.