Real Madrid have had an intense summer in the transfer market. One of the areas that has undergone the biggest overhaul is the defence, which has essentially been rebuilt through a series of reinforcements.
Two full-backs and a centre-back have arrived, continuing the club’s strategy of strengthening the backline.
Ibrahima Konate joined as a free agent after his contract at Liverpool, while Real Madrid paid Denzel Dumfries’ €20 million release clause to sign him from Inter Milan. Marc Cucurella, meanwhile, was brought from Chelsea for a fee of €55 million.
Manager Jose Mourinho returned to the Spanish capital with particular concerns about the defence, which is why he requested three new additions.
According to MARCA (h/t Bernabeu Digital), Mourinho asked the club’s directors for a squad with greater physical capacity. All three defenders provide precisely that.
A Defence made by Mourinho
Already impressing in pre-season. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s transfer activity has been closely linked to the Portuguese coach. Every signing has either received his approval or been directly requested by him.
Ibrahima Konate was given the green light by Mourinho, while Denzel Dumfries and Marc Cucurella were also the manager’s personal choices.
Beyond the fact that the signings make considerable sense given the squad’s situation and needs, all three reinforcements share one important characteristic – strong physical presence.
Physical power across the backline
Konate’s main strengths as a centre-back are his speed and physical presence, allowing him to defend aggressively and recover quickly thanks to his ability to cover space.
Konate and Cucurella, chosen by Mourinho (Picture credit: X/@realmadrid)
Dumfries is also an exceptionally athletic full-back. His ability to cover the entire flank and drive forward with the ball are among his biggest strengths.
Finally, Cucurella offers another strong physical profile. His intensity and ability in duels make him extremely difficult to beat, both offensively and defensively.
Together, the three signings reflect Mourinho’s desire to build a more physically powerful Real Madrid.
The Real Madrid manager remains keen on another defensive addition – a left-footed centre-back in particular, but the club are not in a position to make any new signings until there are any departures.