Mourinho faces two early Real Madrid dilemmas as Tchouameni’s role comes into focus

Real Madrid have made an encouraging start under Jose Mourinho, but there are already two squad-management questions that could test the Portuguese coach as the season develops.

Los Blancos have won three on the bounce to kick-start their La Liga campaign, and their latest 4-0 victory against Malaga offered a lot of promise.

The Portuguese tactician has set his team up to play some exciting, counter-attacking football, and the forward line in particular has thrived.

Now, according to Alvaro Romero of El Larguero, there are two early concerns emerging for Mourinho’s reign.

One concerns the size of Mourinho’s squad, while the other centres on Aurelien Tchouameni and where the midfielder fits following Federico Valverde’s impressive start to the campaign.

Mourinho has a bigger squad than planned

Romero has hinted that Mourinho was initially intending to work with a smaller squad.

“There are two doubts about Mourinho’s Real Madrid,” Romero said.

“The first is that he wanted a short squad of around 22 players, but now he has 25 or 26 and he has to manage that number.”

Having depth is hardly a problem in itself, particularly for a Madrid side expected to compete for every major trophy.

Aurelien Tchouameni is competing for a role with Federico Valverde. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

The difficulty is keeping everyone involved happy.

Mourinho has already spoken about the frustration players will inevitably experience when they do not start.

With multiple high-level options competing for places, managing personalities and minutes could become as important as his tactical decisions.

What happens with Tchouameni?

Romero spoke about Tchouameni as his second question mark.

“The other is Tchouameni’s situation, especially because Valverde has started the season very well, and I don’t know what Tchouameni’s role will be,” he added.

Tchouameni has had the start to his campaign disrupted by groin discomfort, while Valverde has been able to establish himself in Mourinho’s midfield.

That creates an interesting selection dilemma once the Frenchman is back.

Mourinho values Tchouameni’s physical presence and ability to provide balance, so his return should give Madrid another important tactical option rather than automatically create a problem.

Federico Valverde has started the season on an excellent note. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

However, finding minutes for Bernardo Silva, Tchouameni and Valverde is likely to be a challenge.

Competition could benefit Madrid

Valverde’s form means Mourinho should not have to rush Tchouameni back or immediately restructure a functioning midfield to accommodate him.

The real test will come when everyone is fit. Mourinho must find enough meaningful minutes to maintain competition without allowing frustration to damage the unity he has worked to restore.

For Tchouameni specifically, the challenge is straightforward: recover completely and then earn his place.

If Mourinho handles that competition correctly, what currently looks like one of Madrid’s first doubts could ultimately become one of their biggest strengths.