Even though Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had rejected a Bernardo Silva transfer for years, including back when the Manchester City star was in his prime and one of the best midfielders in the world, he agreed to sign him this summer at the request of Jose Mourinho, who 100 percent demanded that the Portuguese international be signed as a free agent this summer ahead of interest from bitter La Liga rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Mourinho has high hopes and big plans for Silva. Here is a look at how the former Man City man can fit the best Real Madrid XI as a defensive midfielder, which is how Jose seems to plan on using him.
Defense: GK Thibaut Courtois - LB Marc Cucurella - CB Eder Militao - CB Ibrahima Konate - RB Trent Alexander-Arnold
Denzel Dumfries will get opportunities to give Trent Alexander-Arnold rest and is another player Jose Mourinho loves and specifically requested for Real Madrid this summer transfer window, while Dean Huijsen got the No. 4 jersey and will push for minutes, especially if Ibrahima Konate can't step up after an underwhelming final season in Liverpool.
But on paper, this is the best back four Real Madrid have when everyone is healthy. That is the big caveat, as Eder Militao's fitness really swings the pendulum on how this back line looks for Mourinho.
Midfield: LDM Bernardo Silva - RDM Arda Guler - AM Jude Bellingham
Fede Valverde is the biggest loser of Real Madrid signing Bernardo Silva this summer, and both he and Aurelien Tchouameni are going to have to fight almost as hard as Eduardo Camavinga for regular minutes. Because if Bernardo Silva is valued by Jose Mourinho as a starter, then Mou is going to do what he wants to do and start the veteran treble winner from Manchester City.
Silva off the left as a ball carrying No. 8 who can also sit back and help set the tempo would mesh well with Arda Guler as a deep lying playmaker who pulls the strings behind a crashing Jude Bellingham. Jude is 100 percent in Real's best XI regardless, but he does his best playing close to the box where he can also score and affect games, allowing Kylian Mbappe to split away from the box when he wants to. That means Guler and Silva are going to work together to build play up, run counterattacks, and even try to score more from distance.
Forwards: LW Vinicius Junior - ST Kylian Mbappe - RW Yan Diomande
The Real Madrid front three is 100 percent settled, and there is zero question that not only is this the best group of players Real have up top, but also these three have the potential to become the best front three in the world if Jose Mourinho can get Mbappe and Vini to finally click.
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