{"id":834,"date":"2026-09-03T07:26:55","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T07:26:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=834"},"modified":"2026-09-03T07:26:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T07:26:55","slug":"mourinho-faces-two-early-real-madrid-dilemmas-as-tchouamenis-role-comes-into-focus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=834","title":{"rendered":"Mourinho faces two early Real Madrid dilemmas as Tchouameni\u2019s role comes into focus"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Real Madrid have made an encouraging start under Jose Mourinho, but there are already two squad-management questions that could test the Portuguese coach as the season develops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Los Blancos<\/em> have won three on the bounce to kick-start their La Liga<\/em> campaign, and their latest 4-0 victory against Malaga offered a lot of promise.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Portuguese tactician has set his team up to play some exciting, counter-attacking football, and the forward line in particular has thrived.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Now, according to Alvaro Romero of El Larguero<\/a>, there are two early concerns emerging for Mourinho\u2019s reign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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One concerns the size of Mourinho\u2019s squad, while the other centres on Aurelien Tchouameni and where the midfielder fits<\/a> following Federico Valverde\u2019s impressive start to the campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Mourinho has a bigger squad than planned<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Romero has hinted that Mourinho was initially intending to work with a smaller squad.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThere are two doubts about Mourinho\u2019s Real Madrid<\/a>,\u201d<\/strong> Romero said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe first is that he wanted a short squad of around 22 players, but now he has 25 or 26 and he has to manage that number.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Having depth is hardly a problem in itself, particularly for a Madrid side expected to compete for every major trophy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Aurelien Tchouameni is competing for a role with Federico Valverde<\/a>. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The difficulty is keeping everyone involved happy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Mourinho has already spoken about the frustration players will inevitably experience when they do not start.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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With multiple high-level options competing for places, managing personalities and minutes could become as important as his tactical decisions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

What happens with Tchouameni?<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Romero spoke about Tchouameni as his second question mark.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe other is Tchouameni\u2019s situation, especially because Valverde has started the season very well, and I don\u2019t know what Tchouameni\u2019s role will be,\u201d<\/strong> he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Tchouameni has had the start to his campaign disrupted by groin discomfort, while Valverde has been able to establish himself in Mourinho\u2019s midfield.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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That creates an interesting selection dilemma once the Frenchman is back.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Mourinho values Tchouameni\u2019s physical presence and ability to provide balance, so his return should give Madrid another important tactical option rather than automatically create a problem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Federico Valverde has started the season on an excellent note. (Photo by Christof Koepsel\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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However, finding minutes for Bernardo Silva, Tchouameni and Valverde is likely to be a challenge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Competition could benefit Madrid<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Valverde\u2019s form means Mourinho should not have to rush Tchouameni back or immediately restructure a functioning midfield to accommodate him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The real test will come when everyone is fit. Mourinho must find enough meaningful minutes to maintain competition without allowing frustration to damage the unity he has worked to restore.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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For Tchouameni specifically, the challenge is straightforward: recover completely and then earn his place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If Mourinho handles that competition correctly, what currently looks like one of Madrid\u2019s first doubts could ultimately become one of their biggest strengths.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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