Mourinho’s experiment with Real Madrid star vs Fiorentina shows his desire for a midfield playmaker – report | OneFootball

It has been a few weeks since Jose Mourinho started training the Real Madrid squad ahead of the new season, and the pre-season games have offered quite a bit of insight.

One clear pattern that Jose has been trying out during these games is playing both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries in the same line-up.

Mourinho lines up with the former as his right-back and the latter as his right-winger, giving them attacking impetus going forward and defensive solidity while retreating.

Trent, in particular, is said to have impressed the Portuguese tactician with the effort that he has put in during the off-period.

Now, according to AS, Mourinho has already started searching for more creativity in Real Madrid’s build-up play, using Trent as an inverted midfielder during the 2-2 pre-season draw against Fiorentina.

Trent becomes an extra midfielder

The England international was listed as a right-back on paper, but once Los Blancos had possession, he drifted inside to spray creative passes from midfield.

Trent played a different role against Fiorentina. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)

The tactical adjustment gave Real Madrid another passing option in the middle of the pitch. Defensively, he remained at right-back.

In possession, he stepped inside and positioned himself closer to Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga, allowing him to see more forward passing lanes and play through Fiorentina’s pressure.

Mourinho’s intention became especially clear after Endrick’s opening goal. The coach called Trent over to the touchline and spent more than a minute giving him detailed instructions.

That level of direct coaching suggests the role was not improvised. Mourinho appears to see Trent’s distribution as a resource that can help Madrid control games more effectively.

Mourinho clearly wants more playmaking

The experiment also revealed something about the balance Mourinho believes his midfield still lacks.

Valverde and Camavinga offer energy, ball recovery and powerful carrying, but neither naturally controls possession in the same way as a specialist deep playmaker.

Mourinho seeks more playmaking qualities in midfield. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)

By moving Trent inside, Mourinho added a player capable of switching play, accelerating attacks and finding teammates between the lines.

It is yet another reminder of why the manager has been pushing personally for the club to sign Rodri from Manchester City.

The Spaniard would provide the positional control, rhythm and authority Mourinho wants at the base of the team. Until that operation is resolved, Trent offers a temporary internal solution.

An early insight into how Jose wants Trent to play

Even if Real Madrid eventually sign Rodri, Trent’s inverted role could remain useful.

His movement inside would allow Mourinho to create a midfield overload, free Valverde to make forward runs and give Rodri another technically secure partner during the first phase of possession.

Dumfries could then provide width from a more advanced position. However, this is a role that could come with sacrifices.

If Real Madrid lose possession when Trent is central and Dumfries is high and wide, the right flank is completely exposed for an opposition winger to run into.

Still, the Fiorentina match provided an early glimpse of how Mourinho is willing to experiment tactically, and it remains to be seen how he uses Trent in the long run.