Headline: Real Madrid Faces Dilemma on Federico Valverde’s Position Ahead of New Season
Real Madrid is gearing up for the 2026/27 season, yet a pressing question looms at Valdebebas: what role will Federico Valverde play in José Mourinho’s strategy? The club is preparing for its La Liga opener against Espanyol following a productive pre-season.
The squad has welcomed six new signings, providing Mourinho with enhanced options and increasing competition for starting positions. However, as reported by Defensa Central, this depth has sparked uncertainty regarding Valverde’s place within the team.
Carlos Carpio, a journalist who covers the club, indicated that despite Valverde’s critical role over the years, Mourinho remains unsure about the best position for the Uruguayan. Carpio noted, “From what I’m told, it’s not clear where he’s going to play. I don’t see him at the heart of the play, just as I didn’t last year.”
Carpio added, “He doesn’t have those qualities. I’m told that Mourinho doesn’t see him on the right wing – we’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
The ambiguity surrounding Valverde’s position is noteworthy, given his significant contributions to Real Madrid. During pre-season, he primarily operated in central midfield, gradually stepping away from his previous role on the right side. Nonetheless, the report implies that Mourinho does not view him as the ideal candidate to control the midfield.
This uncertainty does not necessarily mean Valverde’s position is in jeopardy; the issue seems to revolve around finding a tactical fit for him. Moreover, Mourinho appears hesitant to deploy Valverde on the right wing, a position he has previously filled.
There is another option available for Valverde, as he has experience playing as a right-back when the team required additional defense. However, it has been noted that Valverde does not feel entirely at ease in that role, which previously led to some disagreements with former coach Xabi Alonso.
With two strong candidates for the right-back position, Denzel Dumfries and Trent Alexander-Arnold, utilizing Valverde there seems impractical. While Valverde’s versatility is a significant asset, it also presents a tactical challenge. A player capable of operating in various positions gives any manager flexibility, yet Mourinho may need to consider assigning Valverde a clearly defined role as the season begins.
Real Madrid may be closing in on the start of the 2026/27 campaign, but one major question remains unresolved at Valdebebas: where exactly does Federico Valverde fit into José Mourinho’s plans?
Los Blancos are preparing for their La Liga opener against Espanyol after a strong pre-season preparation.
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The Real Madrid squad has also been strengthened by six new signings, giving Mourinho more options across the pitch and increasing competition for places.
Yet, according to Defensa Central, that growing depth has created uncertainty around the role of one of the club’s most important players.
Indeed, Valverde has been a key figure for Real Madrid for years, but Carlos Carpio claims Mourinho is still not fully convinced about the position in which the Uruguayan should play.
The journalist explained, “From what I’m told, it’s not clear where he’s going to play. I don’t see him at the heart of the play, just as I didn’t last year.
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“He doesn’t have those qualities. I’m told that Mourinho doesn’t see him on the right wing – we’ll have to wait and see what happens,” he explained.
Mourinho does not see Valverde as a midfielder or winger
Mourinho is unsure about Valverde’s playing position. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
The reported uncertainty is particularly interesting given Valverde’s importance within the Real Madrid squad.
The Uruguayan has operated in central midfield during the pre-season, gradually moving away from the right side of the pitch.
However, the aforementioned report suggests Mourinho may not view him as the player capable of controlling the heart of the team.
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That does not necessarily mean Valverde is set to lose his place. Instead, the issue appears to be about finding the right tactical role for him.
Furthermore, Mourinho is also unconvinced about using Valverde on the right wing, a position the midfielder has occupied regularly in the past.
Right-back is another option, but Valverde has his doubts
There is, of course, another position Valverde knows well.
Valverde can play across multiple positions. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
The Uruguayan has previously been deployed as a right-back when Real Madrid needed extra cover.
However, it is known that Valverde does not feel fully comfortable playing at right-back. That issue contributed to some of his first disagreements with Xabi Alonso last season.
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Moreover, Real Madrid now have two strong candidates for the right-back role in Denzel Dumfries and Trent Alexander-Arnold, so it makes no sense for Valverde to be used there.
Valverde’s versatility has always been one of his greatest strengths, but it can also create a difficult tactical problem.
A player capable of operating in midfield, on the right wing and at full-back gives any manager several options.
Yet Mourinho may now need to decide whether Valverde should have one clearly defined role rather than continuing to move around depending on the team’s needs.
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