Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
With the international break almost over, Real Madrid are set to resume their campaign next weekend when they lock horns with Villarreal.
It will be a tricky contest for Jose Mourinho, whose side are heading into this game with just one option in central defence, Antonio Rudiger.
Dean Huijsen is serving a one-match suspension while Ibrahima Konate won’t be fit in time for the clash, having suffered a knock during the break. Raul Asencio and Eder Militao are both injured.
This leaves Jose Mourinho with three distinct options as he looks to tackle the centre-back problem against Villarreal, as reported by MARCA.
The natural option
Tchouameni could operate at centre-back vs Villarreal. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The most obvious and likely solution is to convert Aurelien Tchouameni into a central defender, a role he knows well and has performed on numerous occasions.
The Frenchman offers physicality, composure in possession, aerial ability and excellent positional awareness, making him a reliable option alongside Rudiger.
Deploying Tchouameni there would require minimal changes to the rest of the side, while also providing a cleaner build-up from the back given his ability to always face forward.
Dumfries as an unconventional option
Another route involves Denzel Dumfries, who possesses the physical attributes to fill in at centre-back in certain situations.
Mourinho has already shown during pre-season that he is not afraid to seek unconventional solutions when circumstances demand it.
The Portuguese experimented with pairing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dumfries earlier in the summer, and the Dutchman’s power and aggression could make him a viable, if unexpected, stopgap for the Villarreal clash.
La Fabrica to the rescue
Mario Rivas, Real Madrid youth prodigy
Rivas is an option for Real Madrid vs Villarreal. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
Finally, the emergency could open the door to Real Madrid’s academy, with Mario Rivas, Joan Martinez and Diego Aguado all options.
Mourinho has repeatedly insisted that youngsters are part of his plans, stating at the start of the season that “the door is open.”
He was even more direct after the Betis game, noting that “as the season progresses, with suspensions and injuries, opportunities will obviously arise for them.”
Rivas, a 19-year-old centre-back who played the entire second half of pre-season with the first team, is the standout candidate.
Mourinho praised both Rivas and Martinez after the Fiorentina friendly, describing them as “two lads with a fantastic future.”
All eyes, therefore, will be on Mourinho’s team selection next week.
Kenan Yildiz, Juventus player
hoto by Paul Kane/Getty Images
Real Madrid have had very limited success, as far as their attacking unit is concerned, with Galactico signing Yan Diomande still yet to deliver.
Vinicius Jr. also looks like a shadow of his former self now, despite signing a lucrative contract renewal in the summer while Rodrygo has struggled with injuries.
This has once again forced Real Madrid to consider further reinforcements, possibly in the summer of 2027 and one of the targets the club may revisit is Kenan Yildiz.
Real Madrid in contention to sign Yildiz
Kenan Yildiz, Juventus player
Yildiz is the biggest star at Juventus. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)
According to Corriere dello Sport (h/t Diario SPORT), Real Madrid have emerged as a strong candidate to sign Kenan Yildiz in the summer of 2027.
The Juventus star is not a new target for Los Blancos. The club were interested in his services from the days of Xabi Alonso, who was keen on signing the Turkish international.
The move never materialised in 2025. This past summer, Real Madrid’s renewal of Vinicius Jr. coupled with the addition of Diomande meant the club did not attempt to sign Yildiz.
But the story could change next summer, with Juventus increasingly facing pressure to offload the Turkish international.
Thanks to his deal until 2030 and a lucrative salary package, Juventus consider Yildiz untouchable. But the report states the club could be forced to consider a sale if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Potential roadblocks for Real Madrid
Kenan Yildiz, Juventus player
Yildiz is one of the most talented young wingers in Europe. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
Although Real Madrid appear to be in a favourable spot as far as the pursuit of Yildiz is concerned, there are several roadblocks the club must face.
For one, Juventus value the Turkish international at €100 million, which could rise further if the attacker continues to perform well.
Moreover, Real Madrid are not the only club interested in Yildiz, with the Juventus star also on the radar of Bayern Munich, who will not shy away from going big on a new winger next summer.
That being said, Real Madrid still remain the favourites and it will be interesting to see what the future has in store for Yildiz in the summer of 2027.