Mourinho's Six Untouchable Starters at Real Madrid Revealed as Squad Hierarchy Takes Shape

Jose Mourinho’s second spell at Real Madrid is already producing a clear pecking order, with six players cementing themselves as automatic selections under the Portuguese manager ahead of the new season.

Florentino Perez has backed Mourinho heavily in the transfer market, bringing in Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva, Carlos Espi, and Marc Cucurella. The club are also pushing to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig and Rodri from Manchester City to further bolster the squad.

Six Players Considered Untouchable

According to AS (h/t Madrid Zone), Mourinho currently views six players as guaranteed starters whenever fit: Thibaut Courtois, Marc Cucurella, Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappe. The group spans every area of the pitch, from Courtois in goal to Mbappe leading the attack. The pre-season weeks have already confirmed this core as the foundation of Mourinho’s project at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Cucurella’s inclusion stands out. The left-back only arrived this summer yet has moved straight to the front of the queue, a sign of the immediate impression he has made on the manager.

Competition Remains Open Across Several Positions

Beyond those six, multiple spots are still being contested. The centre-back pairing remains unsettled, with Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen pushing Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao for places. Midfield could shift significantly depending on whether the Rodri deal is completed. The right side of the pitch represents the most competitive area in the squad, with Mourinho already experimenting by deploying both Dumfries and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right flank.

Should Diomande arrive, he is expected to lock down the right-wing spot, which would then redirect that competition entirely to right-back.

Hierarchy on Paper Means Little at This Club

At Real Madrid, no starting role is guaranteed, regardless of reputation. Every player must keep proving their worth to wear the shirt, and Mourinho’s record makes clear he will not hesitate to drop anyone, including those currently labeled untouchable. Mbappe, Bellingham, Vinicius — none are exempt from that standard.

Read also: Martial Fired Back at Mourinho After £180,000 Fine for Missing Pre-Season to Support Partner

Transfers between now and the end of the window could shift this list further. How the squad structure evolves once competitive matches begin remains one of the more compelling subplots of Madrid’s season. Follow TipsGG for ongoing coverage as Mourinho’s project takes shape.