Mourinho faces three major selection calls for Real Madrid’s La Liga opener against Espanyol | OneFootball

Jose Mourinho is closing in on his first official match of his second spell as Real Madrid manager, but according to Mundo Deportivo, three important decisions remain unresolved ahead of Saturday’s La Liga opener against Espanyol.

Real Madrid begin their 2026/27 campaign away to Espanyol on August 22, with Mourinho expected to use the match as the first indication of how he plans to utilise his new-look side.

Sure, pre-season has given the Portuguese coach time to experiment, and while some positions in the starting XI appear settled, Mourinho still has questions to answer in midfield, the No. 10 role and at right-back.

The biggest of those decisions could concern who takes responsibility for bringing creativity and control to the middle of the pitch.

Bernardo Silva looks set to win key midfield battle

Mourinho has largely used a 4-2-3-1 system during pre-season, with two players operating in the deeper midfield positions.

One of those spots appears likely to go to Aurelien Tchouameni, although Eduardo Camavinga remains another option, while Federico Valverde also operated in a defensive midfield role against Schalke.

Bernardo Silva is set to start against Espanyol. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)

The other position, however, requires a different profile.

Real Madrid need someone capable of receiving the ball from deeper areas and helping move play forward. 

Arda Guler was tested in that role during pre-season, but according to the report, Bernardo Silva has now emerged as Mourinho’s preferred choice.

The Portuguese midfielder has featured in that position in recent friendlies and could be handed the same responsibility against Espanyol.

Guler and Dumfries could edge out Bellingham and Trent

The second major question surrounds the attacking midfield position.

Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham are the two main candidates for the No. 10 role, but the Turkish international currently appears to have the edge.

Denzel Dumfries is likely to start ahead of Alexander-Arnold. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)

Guler has been one of Real Madrid’s standout performers during pre-season and has made the most of the extra minutes available to him, while Bellingham only returned to training last week.

Given that context, the Turkish international is likely to start behind the striker against Espanyol.

The third uncertainty comes at right-back.

Trent Alexander-Arnold initially appeared to be the obvious first-choice option, with Denzel Dumfries expected to provide competition and cover. However, pre-season has complicated that picture.

Dumfries has started more frequently than the Englishman and has even been used further forward on the right wing. 

Mourinho rates the Dutchman highly, raising the possibility that he could get the nod for Real Madrid’s La Liga opener against Espanyol.