Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Real Madrid seem to have no visible end to their centre-back problem, which has affected the club over the last couple of seasons.
It almost feels like the position is cursed for Los Blancos, with injuries happening on a wholesale basis regardless of the personnel.
With the situation as it is at the moment, Aurelien Tchouameni could once again be asked to solve Real Madrid’s problems at centre-back.
According to FOX Deportes, Antonio Rudiger could be Mourinho’s only natural senior centre-back available against Villarreal on 10 October. That has brought Tchouameni back into consideration as an emergency defensive option.
Tchouameni emerges as solution
Dean Huijsen is suspended, while Ibrahima Konate is recovering from a minor collateral ligament sprain in his right knee.
Raul Asencio has undergone surgery and Eder Militao is still completing his rehabilitation from the hamstring injury he suffered in April.
Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid player
Tchouameni is no stranger to playing at central defence. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Militao has returned to group training, but Los Blancos will know better than to rush the Brazilian back into action.
That leaves Rudiger, whose own workload needs careful management following his knee problems, potentially carrying the entire burden at centre-back.
Tchouameni therefore represents Mourinho’s most obvious solution. The France midfielder has experience in the position from Carlo Ancelotti’s spell in charge.
His physical strength, aerial ability and composure in possession mean Madrid would not simply be placing a midfielder into defence and hoping for the best.
One solution creates another problem
The complication is what Madrid lose elsewhere by moving Tchouameni to central defence.
He has become important to the balance of Mourinho’s midfield, particularly alongside Fede Valverde.
Removing him from that area would force another reshuffle at a moment when Madrid are already searching for greater control in possession.
Fede Valverde is also currently nursing an injury and might not be ready to start the game against Villarreal.
Marc Pubill, Atletico Madrid player
Tchouameni playing in defence opens up a spot in variety . (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Therefore, moving Tchouameni to defence would force Mourinho to use a partnership like Eduardo Camavinga and Bernardo Silva in midfield, which is largely untested.
Mario Rivas offers Mourinho another possibility. The academy defender featured during pre-season, scored against Ferencvaros and has already been included in several senior matchday squads.
However, Mourinho needs to have the courage to throw in a youngster against Inigo Perez’s team, who will not make it easy for him.
Mourinho has important decisions to make when club football resumes, and it remains to be seen how he goes about choosing Rudiger’s partner for the game against the Yellow Submarine.
Yan Diomande, Brahim Diaz, Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid players
Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
One of the major talking points surrounding Real Madrid in the summer was the contractual situation involving Vinicius Junior.
The Brazilian was entering the final year of his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the negotiations did not prove to be straightforward.
Eventually, Los Blancos accepted more than they initially offered to get Vinicius to put pen to paper on a new contract with Madrid.
However, the club’s decision to invest heavily in Yan Diomande could eventually have consequences for Vinicius Junior, particularly if the Brazilian continues to struggle to rediscover his best form.
According to Defensa Central, the arrival of Diomande has created a potential scenario in which Madrid could become more receptive to a future Vinicius departure.
The club are not actively looking to sell him at the moment, but Madrid’s attacking riches mean no player is untouchable.
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid player
Vinicius Jr. is having a difficult time at Real Madrid. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Diomande’s emergence matters because he can operate from the left, the area Vinicius has made his own at the Bernabeu.
The 19-year-old has already shown enough to demand more opportunities, while Arda Guler has also strengthened his claim for a significant attacking role.
Vinicius, meanwhile, has endured a difficult start to the season. Mourinho has publicly supported him and maintained that rediscovering his best football is a matter of time.
However, there is only so long that Mourinho can keep faith in the Brazilian if the performances do not back it up.
Vinicius’ recent renewal makes an immediate departure unlikely. A sufficiently large offer, however, could potentially force Madrid to consider their options.
Much would depend on the Brazilian himself. If Vinicius rediscovers the intensity and decisive quality that helped Madrid win major trophies, there is little reason to push him out.
Yan Diomande of Real Madrid
Diomande is emerging as a real option for Real Madrid. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
However, if his difficulties continue while Diomande develops rapidly, the conversation inevitably becomes different.
For years, Vinicius’ importance to Madrid made his position virtually unquestionable. The squad Mourinho now possesses means that status can no longer be taken entirely for granted.
Diomande is young, explosive and already pushing for minutes. Madrid also have other attacking pieces capable of assuming greater responsibility.
An exit for Vinicius would not come as a total surprise if things do not improve, and it remains to be seen how things pan out.