So, most probably our summer window ends here. Sadly we are about to have one of the biggest summer windows in our history but won't sign players in the main positions where we were badly lacking.
So, with all that aside, how could José Mourinho line up his Real Madrid XI at the start of the season? Let's try to find out how he could solve these problems and what his lineup might look like. It may seem controversial because I tried to build this XI based on how I think José Mourinho would set up his team. So, let's jump into it.
The first soldier of José Mourinho is going to be Thibaut Courtois and I don't even need to explain why.
Then comes one of the most controversial topics: Trent or Dumfries? I already wrote an article about it. Trent isn't the typical full-back profile Mourinho usually wants, but honestly, Trent's world-class passing gives him a very strong argument. He is the kind of player who can give Mourinho a completely different attacking weapon.
You can build a system around structure, but when you have a player who can create something out of nothing, you find a way to use him.
Then comes another controversial position, the right centre back. I'd say if Militão stays fit, he will surely start. But if he doesn't, I see Ibrahima Konaté becoming a Real Madrid starter because of his dirty work, defensive work rate, and, most importantly, his partnership with Trent Alexander-Arnold. I know many of you will say he is poor, bla bla, but whenever he has a solid defensive structure around him, he always shines. We saw that clearly under Klopp. If Klopp could bring the best out of him, then why not José Mourinho?
Now let's come to the left centre-back position. It's also going to be very controversial. Personally, I want Dean Huijsen to start but I think Rüdiger may start ahead of him. I don't know why but I have a gut feeling. That doesn't mean Dean Huijsen is a bad player or that José Mourinho doesn't like him. I just think Antonio Rüdiger is the perfect centre-back for Mourinho's style. Everything Mourinho wants from a defender, Rüdiger has: leadership, dirty work, aggression, and chaos. So I see Rüdiger starting at left centre-back.
Now let's move to the left-back position. Everyone knows who is starting there, and I don't think there's even a debate.
Now comes the most important part of this team: the pivot. It was the main reason why we went trophyless last season. We wanted Rodri, but he joined Barcelona, and I'm not seeing Real Madrid buying another midfielder this summer. So the option left is a Tchouaméni and Bernardo Silva pivot.
Bernardo Silva can be an excellent No. 8 alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni because their qualities complement each other perfectly. While Tchouaméni stays deeper to protect the defence, win duels, and recover possession, Bernardo is free to control the rhythm of the game. His ability to receive the ball under pressure, escape tight spaces, and carry it forward helps the team progress through midfield with ease. He constantly offers passing options, combines with teammates, and drifts into wide areas to create overloads before moving back inside. Out of possession, Bernardo's relentless pressing and work rate make him just as valuable defensively, while Tchouaméni provides the balance by covering the spaces he leaves behind. This partnership would give the team greater control, smoother ball progression, and more creativity without sacrificing defensive stability.
Now comes another controversial topic: who is going to start on the right wing?
We signed a player like Yan Diomandé for a club-record fee, so surely he starts? But I don't think that's going to happen. I don't see Real Madrid making the same mistake Xabi did with Franco Mastantuono. Mourinho won't rush him. He will be a rotation player who comes on when the team needs chaos and fresh energy. So who starts? I think it's going to be Fede Valverde on the right side of midfield.
He will provide width, help Trent Alexander-Arnold defensively, and with Bernardo Silva covering so much ground, Fede will have the freedom to attack the box and take more shots, just like Arbeloa did with him using Thiago Pitarch. I believe we can see the best version of Fede Valverde in this system and I'm confident he will deliver.
And the No. 10? Jude Bellingham or Arda Güler? Well, both players offer different qualities.
Jude Bellingham is a guaranteed starter. That's 100% certain, and he will be José Mourinho's main weapon.
Mourinho's best version of Bellingham would be a complete attacking midfielder with the freedom to arrive in the box, press aggressively, carry the ball through midfield, and make late runs into scoring positions. Instead of asking him to control every attack, Mourinho would build the midfield around him with defensively solid players behind him, allowing Jude to focus on what he does best: driving forward, creating danger, and deciding matches in the final third.
In Mourinho's system, Bellingham wouldn't just be a No. 10. He would be the team's engine, leader, and match-winner.
The only positions left are centre-forward and left wing, and I don't think I need to talk about them. The real question is how Mourinho will get the best out of them and make them work together. If anyone can turn individual quality into a winning team, it's José Mourinho. Now, let's see if he can do it once again.