Real Madrid star could lose ‘untouchable’ status under Mourinho amid midfield competition

Real Madrid secured a late win over Espanyol in their 2026-27 La Liga opener, with Jude Bellingham and Carlos Espinosa scoring the goals. Manager Jose Mourinho's selection options for the opening fixture drew significant attention, particularly concerning the midfield. Bernardo Silva and Federico Valverde started in that position, and the situation is set to become more complex following the arrival of Tchouameni.

According to Cadena SER journalist Tomas Roncero, Tchouameni may no longer be an "untouchable" starter under Mourinho, as the competition for midfield roles intensifies. The French goalkeeper may face pressure to prove his worth, especially when Madrid faces teams that play deep defensive football. Roncero believes Bernardo could play a major role in Mourinho's midfield, particularly in these situations.

His creative playmaking abilities would be crucial in directing possession from deeper areas. This could be particularly important given that Madrid missed out on signing Rodri, who would have filled that role at Barcelona. While Mourinho has hinted at the possibility of Arda Guler potentially developing into a No. 6 in the future, that solution is likely not a short-term one.