Aurelien Tchouameni’s race to be fit for Real Madrid’s first La Liga game of the season looks set to have a positive ending.
The French midfielder returned to group training as Jose Mourinho’s side stepped up preparations for the trip to Espanyol, according to MARCA, putting him in line for a place in the squad after a period on the sidelines with muscle discomfort.
Tchouameni’s return from the World Cup had been followed by individual work rather than a full involvement in pre-season, leaving him without a single minute of match action during Real Madrid’s summer preparations.
That makes a call-up for the La Liga opener increasingly likely, but a place in Mourinho’s starting XI is a different matter altogether.
Tchouameni returns, but no reason to rush him
Tchouameni had been training separately since returning from his post-World Cup break as Real Madrid managed the muscle problem that kept him out of preseason action.
Tchouameni has returned to training. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
His appearance on the training pitch now points towards a return to the matchday squad for the trip to Barcelona, where Real Madrid will face Espanyol in their first competitive fixture of the 2026/27 campaign.
Mourinho will naturally be pleased to have another midfield option available, particularly a player with Tchouameni’s experience and defensive qualities.
Yet the Frenchman has missed the part of pre-season where Mourinho has been testing combinations and building match rhythm.
Hence, throwing him straight into the opening XI after no pre-season minutes would carry an obvious risk.
Valverde and Bernardo Silva lead the race for Espanyol
Tchouameni will be fit for the Espanyol game. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)
As things stand, Federico Valverde and Bernardo Silva are expected to form Real Madrid’s double pivot against Espanyol.
The pair have been among the options tested by Mourinho during pre-season, and their greater match sharpness gives them a clear advantage over Tchouameni for the opening weekend.
It would also allow Mourinho to bring the Frenchman back gradually rather than asking him to immediately carry a major workload.
That could mean a place on the bench, with Tchouameni available if the game demands greater defensive control or if one of the starting midfielders needs to be managed.