Real Madrid key midfield duo doubts for Schalke friendly – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid will face Schalke 04 on Sunday, August 16, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany in their final pre-season friendly of the summer.

Indeed, it will be the team’s final game before the official start of their La Liga season on August 22, when Jose Mourinho’s side visit Espanyol in Barcelona.

For the match in Germany, Mourinho will be able to call on new signings Yan Diomande, Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konate, none of whom has made their Real Madrid debut yet.

Kylian Mbappe, who returned to training this week after his World Cup break, could also make their first appearance under the Portuguese tactician in Germany.

Bellingham and Tchouameni remain doubts

However, according to Mundo Deportivo, the biggest question marks ahead of the Schalke match are Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni.

A doubt for Schalke clash. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)

Bellingham returned to training on Wednesday and Mourinho will now decide whether the English midfielder is ready to be included in the squad.

Tchouameni is in a similar situation. The Frenchman is recovering from a minor muscular problem and is expected to be fit for the league opener, but his participation against Schalke remains uncertain.

Both players are expected to be key components of Mourinho’s plans for the upcoming season.

Bellingham will be reinstated to his preferred position as an attacking midfielder operating just behind the centre-forward.

Tchouameni will be ready to face Espanyol. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)

As for Tchouameni, he will have to compete with the likes of Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva, and Eduardo Camavinga for a spot in the double pivot.

However, for now, their involvement for the game against Schalke is uncertain.

Six players to stay in Madrid

As for the other absentees, Real Madrid will definitely be without Raul Asencio, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo, Thiago Pitarch and Eder Militao, all of whom are recovering from injuries.

The five players will remain in Madrid to continue their rehabilitation while the rest of the squad travels to Germany.

Meanwhile, as reported just a while ago, Endrick has suffered a muscle overload and is expected to miss the game against Schalke as well.

Mourinho will hope that the Brazilian, along with Bellingham and Tchouameni, will be ready and available to face Espanyol next week.