Jose Mourinho sees Real Madrid midfielder as key to adding balance to the team | OneFootball

Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni finally made his first appearance of the 2026/27 campaign on Tuesday against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League.

The France international had been unavailable since being injured at the World Cup and was unable to feature during pre-season or the opening weeks of La Liga.

He was introduced in the closing stages of the game at the Bernabeu as Mourinho looked to calm a game even as Inter threatened to derail Real Madrid’s Champions League opener.

Tchouameni replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had started in midfield because Arda Guler, Bernardo Silva and Eduardo Camavinga were suspended.

The experiment with the Englishman did not fully convince, prompting Mourinho to turn to the most natural defensive midfielder in his squad.

A different profile for Mourinho

Now, according to MARCA, Tchouameni’s gradual return is regarded by Mourinho and his staff as one of the biggest positives for the team’s balance.

Tchouameni returned to action vs Inter Milan. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Until now, Real Madrid have lacked a specialist defensive midfielder in the double pivot. Bernardo, Federico Valverde and Camavinga all offer different qualities and tend to be more attack-minded than the Frenchman.

Tchouameni’s return is expected to provide greater defensive solidity, with Mourinho & co. seeing him as key to adding more balance to the team.

At this stage, his integration into Mourinho’s starting line-ups is primarily a matter of time, with the Frenchman needing to build some match rhythm after an extended period out.

Four midfielders, four different strengths

Tchouameni’s return gives the manager four midfielders with very different characteristics from which to build the double pivot that has become a defining feature of the team.

The French international is the most defensive of the four and the strongest in duels.

Mourinho considers Tchouameni key to the team’s balance. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Bernardo provides creativity, Valverde brings dynamism and intensity, while Camavinga offers a more aggressive option when pressing.

That variety gives Mourinho greater flexibility depending on the demands of each match.

From now on, Tchouameni’s minutes are expected to increase gradually as he regains his rhythm.

Mourinho also has Thiago Pitarch available, another midfielder capable of covering significant ground. As such, the manager now has five options for the central midfield roles.