Real Madrid’s early-season weaknesses have revived questions over the transfer plans Jose Mourinho presented when he arrived at the club, with two key requests left unresolved during the summer of 2026.
According to a report by Sport, Mourinho began his tenure with a largely defined view of what was required to rebuild the squad. Real Madrid completed several of his preferred signings, bringing in Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ousmane Diomande and Espi.
However, two positions were not strengthened as the manager had wanted: an additional centre-back alongside Konate, and a midfielder capable of giving the team greater control, balance and variety.
Rodri deal fell through
Mourinho’s midfield target was particularly specific. He wanted a player able to build the team’s play from deep, calm the game and improve decision-making in an area that had caused concern at the Santiago Bernabeu for some time.
Rodri emerged as the leading candidate. Real Madrid made every effort to persuade the Spain international, with Mourinho speaking to him personally, but the midfielder ultimately chose Barcelona.
The club did not pursue any of the alternatives available in the transfer market after that move failed to materialise. Mourinho also played down the importance of the deal in public, insisting Real Madrid were not short of options in midfield.
He pointed to Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva and Arda Guler as players capable of operating in the position. Rodri, Mourinho said, would have been “the cherry on top of the cake”.
That appeared to close the issue publicly, although midfield had been identified by Mourinho as one of the priorities for his project when he joined the club.
Defence hit by injuries
Mourinho also wanted another centre-back. Real Madrid had signed Konate, but the manager believed the defensive line required further reinforcement after being one of the team’s most significant weaknesses in previous seasons.
The club considered making room for another defender if one of the existing players left, but no move was completed. Raul Asencio suffered an injury but remained in the squad, and the transfer window closed without the additional centre-back Mourinho had requested.
The need for that signing has since become more apparent. Asencio has yet to make his first appearance under Mourinho and is expected to miss between two and four months with a broken leg. Konate and Eder Militao have also experienced fitness problems.
Real Madrid’s options are particularly limited for the next match, with Dean Huijsen suspended after being sent off in the derby.
Midfield has raised further concerns. In one of the opening matches of the season, Mourinho used Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside Valverde in the centre, but the experiment ended unsuccessfully.
Although Mourinho has publicly defended the quality of his midfielders and defenders, the squad’s construction continues to draw scrutiny from outside the club. Had Real Madrid completed all of the manager’s requested deals, he would now have two additional players who might have played important roles during the season.
