Only a little over a week remains before Real Madrid kicks off their new season under the management of Jose Mourinho. The Merengues have been diligently training over the past month, as the Portuguese coach aims to ready the team for the upcoming challenges.

Advertisement

This weekend, the team will face Schalke in one final pre-season friendly before commencing their La Liga campaign against RCD Espanyol.

Mourinho has welcomed back almost the entire squad, except for those recovering from injuries, following the return of World Cup players earlier this week. However, one player, Aurelien Tchouameni, is currently not training with the group.

Tchouameni Expected to be Ready for Season Opener

In encouraging news, journalist Arancha Rodriguez reports that Tchouameni is expected to be fit for Real Madrid’s La Liga opener against Espanyol.

Tchouameni is grappling with a physical issue. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Advertisement

The French midfielder is dealing with some discomfort, but reports indicate he is making good progress in his recovery. Although he may miss the upcoming friendly against Schalke, Tchouameni should be ready for next week’s match against the Catalan team.

Intense Midfield Competition Ahead

Tchouameni experienced a mixed World Cup campaign with France, missing several matches due to injury and not always performing at his peak. Now back with Real Madrid, the former AS Monaco player faces stiff competition for a midfield position.

Pushing for a spot in midfield (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)

Advertisement

Under Mourinho’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, Tchouameni competes with five other players for two central midfield positions. This includes captain Federico Valverde, new signing Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, and young prospect Thiago Pitarch.

At present, it appears that Bernardo has won Mourinho’s favor and may be set to start alongside Valverde, the club captain. Thus, once Tchouameni fully recovers, he faces a challenging battle to secure his place in Real Madrid’s starting lineup.

Only a little over a week remains before Real Madrid kick off their new season under the new management of Jose Mourinho.

The Merengues have been hard at work over the past month as the Portuguese tactician looks to get the team up and running for the challenges that lie ahead.

Advertisement

One more pre-season friendly against Schalke awaits this weekend before Real Madrid begin their La Liga campaign against RCD Espanyol.

And, Mourinho has recovered the entire squad, barring those injured, after the rest of the World Cup stars returned earlier this week, although one player, Aurelien Tchouameni, is not training with the group.

Tchouameni expected to be ready for start of the season

In a positive update, though, journalist Arancha Rodriguez reports that Tchouameni will be ready in time for Real Madrid’s La Liga opener against Espanyol.

Tchouameni is dealing with a physical issue. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Advertisement

The French midfielder is understood to be dealing with a physical discomfort, but as per the report, he is recovering well from the issue.

As such, even though he might miss the upcoming friendly against Schalke this weekend, Tchouameni will be available at Mourinho’s disposal next week when Los Blancos take on the Catalan outfit.

Intense competition in midfield

Tchouameni endured a hit-and-miss World Cup campaign with France where he missed a few matches due to an injury was not always at his best.

Having now returned to Real Madrid, the former AS Monaco star finds himself staring at an intense battle for places in midfield.

Pushing for a spot in midfield (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)

Advertisement

With Mourinho opting to use his trusted 4-2-3-1 formation, Tchouameni, who is a target for Manchester United, finds himself competing with five other players for a spot in the middle of the park.

Indeed, captain Federico Valverde, new signing Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, and youngster Thiago Pitarch are all vying for the two pivot positions in the centre of the park along with Tchouameni.

In fact, as things stand, it appears that Bernardo has convinced Mourinho and could be a starter, alongside Valverde, who happens to be the club captain.

So, Tchouameni, once he recovers fully, will have a huge challenge ahead to force his way back into the starting XI at Real Madrid.