Jose Mourinho has had an excellent pre-season upon his return to Real Madrid, managing to instil numerous ideas over the past few weeks.
The Portuguese tactician has been excellently backed by the board, who have brought him as many as six signings to add to the squad’s firepower.
Jose might have recovered his first-team stars in batches due to the World Cup, but it does feel like he has a fair idea of how his team will look going forward.
According to AS, Mourinho appears to have settled on the broad structure of his Real Madrid side ahead of the new season, with the 4-2-3-1 formation emerging as the clear base system.
Several positions remain open, particularly in central defence, right-back and the double pivot. However, further forward, the four pick themselves.
Four attacking places look settled
The clearest part of the XI is the attack.
Yan Diomande is expected to start on the right, Vinicius Junior from the left, Jude Bellingham as the No. 10 and Kylian Mbappe through the middle.
That quartet has not yet started together, largely because Diomande, Bellingham and Mbappe only joined pre-season late.
Tchouameni has not featured under Mourinho. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)
Still, Mourinho’s intentions appear obvious. Bellingham will operate behind Mbappe, while Vinicius and Diomande provide width and direct running from the flanks.
Double pivot still up for grabs
The biggest uncertainty is behind them.
Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva and Aurelien Tchouameni are considered the leading candidates for the two midfield spots, with Eduardo Camavinga currently viewed more as an alternative.
Valverde’s energy and leadership make him difficult to leave out, while Bernardo has already impressed as a deeper organiser.
Tchouameni has not yet featured because of a muscular overload, but his defensive profile could become important once he is fully fit.
Defence remains less settled
Marc Cucurella is expected to become the first-choice left-back once fully integrated.
On the right, Mourinho has alternated between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries. Trent offers greater playmaking quality, while Dumfries provides more physicality and attacking power.
Dean Huijsen will be Mourinho’s starting defender. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
At centre-back, Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konate and Antonio Rudiger are currently competing for two places, while Eder Militao and Raul Asencio remain unavailable.
Huijsen appears particularly well positioned after featuring heavily during pre-season.
A starting XI takes shape
Based on initial indications and pre-season performances, Jose Mourinho’s starting XI ahead of the La Liga opener against Espanyol is slowly taking shape.
Thibaut Courtois looks set to start in goal and will do so as long as he is fit. Trent could get the nod ahead of Denzel Dumfries at right-back, although that is a 50-50 call.
Huijsen, Konate and Marc Cucurella could complete the back line, with Rudiger likely to rotate with the Frenchman for minutes.
Bernardo Silva and Federico Valverde should get the nod as the double pivot, at least initially, until further options emerge.
Meanwhile, the front four is set in stone. Not long is left before Jose Mourinho’s era officially begins, and it remains to be seen how the XI looks against Espanyol.