Jose Mourinho is using the international break to address Real Madrid’s problems in building attacks, with Arda Guler, Bernardo Silva, Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde identified as the four players best suited to lead the process.
Spanish publication Defensa Central reports that the Real Madrid manager is reviewing the distribution of responsibilities in midfield after the team struggled to play out from the back and cope with opponents’ pressure over several seasons.
Mourinho believes the quartet possess the technical ability and control required to take responsibility for progressing the ball, rather than relying on Aurelien Tchouameni to perform that role.
Tchouameni remains an important part of Mourinho’s plans, but the manager considers his main strengths to lie elsewhere. The French midfielder is expected to focus on winning back possession, containing opposition attacks and exploiting spaces, rather than attempting to dictate play when under pressure.
The proposed system would give Valverde a central role in a double-pivot midfield. Guler and Bernardo Silva would support him during the early stages of attacks by dropping into deeper positions, creating additional passing options and helping Real Madrid reduce the impact of an opponent’s pressing.
Bellingham, meanwhile, would gradually be used in a more advanced position. Mourinho wants him to operate as a link between midfield and attack, create space for his team-mates and become the free player capable of receiving the ball when Real Madrid face compact defensive blocks.
That positioning is intended to speed up the team’s movement from midfield and improve the effectiveness of its collective runs. It would also allow Bellingham to contribute further forward while Guler, Bernardo Silva and Valverde provide the structure needed behind him.
Mourinho’s plan depends on coordinated movement across the midfield. In particular, he does not want Valverde left isolated while Real Madrid are attempting to construct attacks, especially against teams that press aggressively.
The manager’s view is that the midfielders must move together and offer clear passing angles, allowing the team to escape pressure and retain possession. The system therefore places emphasis on shared responsibility rather than asking a single player to control the build-up.
Tchouameni’s reduced involvement in that aspect of the game should not be interpreted as a fall in his importance. Instead, Mourinho intends to make greater use of the midfielder’s defensive qualities by assigning him duties that better match his strengths.
That approach would represent a change from the roles Tchouameni was given during previous spells in charge of Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
