Real Madrid Prepares for 2026-27 Season with Mourinho's Vision
Real Madrid are edging towards the start of the 2026-27 season with Jose Mourinho already putting his stamp on the squad, but one key piece is still missing.
The campaign opens on Saturday against Espanyol, and Mourinho heads into it after what has largely been a sharp, purposeful first pre-season back at the Bernabeu. The club moved quickly in several areas: Denzel Dumfries has arrived to reinforce the right flank, Marc Cucurella offers depth and bite on the left, and Yan Diomande adds fresh legs in midfield.
One role, though, remains unresolved. The search for a true midfield controller has come up empty. Enzo Fernandez slipped away. Rodri too. With those options gone, Mourinho is preparing to turn inward rather than back to the market.
Arda Güler, the long-term pivot?
The Portuguese coach has a clear candidate in mind. Speaking to El Chiringuito, in comments reported by Diario AS, Mourinho highlighted Arda Güler as a player he expects to grow into a deeper role over the course of his career.
"I love Güler. I think something similar is going to happen to Modric or Bernardo Silva. You start in one position and end up in another, you start as a 10 and you will finish as an 8 or 6. I think Arda will go in that direction with his evolution and knowledge of the game."
For now, Güler remains more of a creator than a conductor, but Mourinho clearly sees a pathway: from No.10 to No.8, and eventually to that No.6 role Madrid have struggled to fill this summer. The idea is on the table, even if it is not an immediate switch.
Bernardo Silva at the heart of the plan
In the short term, that responsibility is likely to fall on Bernardo Silva. The Manchester City star is being lined up to operate in that deeper midfield zone, giving Madrid the control they could not buy elsewhere.
Mourinho has spoken in glowing terms about his compatriot, underlining Silva’s all-round influence and brushing aside any suggestion that the signing is just a political move to land a blow on Barcelona or Atletico Madrid. For him, Silva is a football decision, not a headline grab.
Real Madrid will kick off against Espanyol still searching for perfect balance, but with Mourinho already sketching out a future in which Güler drops back, Silva dictates, and the midfield evolves around them. The question now is how quickly that vision can take shape once the real games begin.
