Mourinho’s injury-prevention plan: The four players Real Madrid are building around

Jose Mourinho has outlined his strategy for managing injuries throughout the 2026/27 season, focusing on building a strong core of players rather than relying on star power. According to Defensa Central, the Real Madrid manager has selected a group of four key players—Eduardo Camavinga, Alvaro Carreras, Brahim Diaz, and Yan Diomande—to serve as his primary backup options.

This approach stems from a recurring issue that has plagued the team since 2024, with over 100 injuries disrupting team continuity and forcing coaches into reactive squad management.

Camavinga is expected to be a crucial rotation option for Mourinho, as evidenced by his recent five changes to the starting lineup against Malaga. This strategy is not a one-off tactic, as Mourinho appears committed to implementing this approach throughout the season. The midfielders Carreras and Diaz provide established players with midfield and attacking cover, while the duo of Carreras and Diomande serves as dependable rotation options who can challenge senior starters for their positions.

Yan Diomande, who is still adapting to his new role at Real Madrid, is currently serving as a backup at left-back, directly competing with Cucurella for playing time. This internal competition is precisely what Mourinho aims to build across the pitch. By developing these four players as dependable reserve options, Mourinho intends to manage the team's physical workload, particularly for his main forwards, without compromising the overall attacking threat.

Ultimately, this injury-prevention plan serves as a direct response to the fitness setbacks that have plagued Real Madrid for the past two seasons, aiming to ensure the squad remains fresh and competitive throughout the demanding campaign.