Based on everything seen in the preseason, it appears Jose Mourinho is indeed going to roll with a 4-2-3-1 formation, at least initially, as his game plan for Real Madrid, with their first game in La Liga coming up this weekend against Espanyol, the club sharing a common enemy with them in Barcelona.
Ahead of Matchday 1 of the fresh 2026/27 season, let's take a look at the best possible XI of currently available players for Mourinho to choose from in a 4-2-3-1.
Defense: GK Thibaut Courtois - LB Marc Cucurella - CB Ibrahima Konate - CB Dean Huijsen - RB Trent Alexander-Arnold
The idea of Trent Alexander-Arnold playing in the center of midfield with new right back Denzel Dumfries in that position is a tantalizing one, and it is a concept Jose Mourinho will likely experiment with before long, given Dumfries has played as many minutes as Trent this preseason.
Left back is sealed, but the center back position becomes interesting. Dean Huijsen has been the best defender in the preseason and is proving himself to Mourinho after a difficult rookie year at the Santiago Bernabeu. He could seal a long term spot with a strong showing.
Double Pivot: CM Bernardo Silva - CM Arda Guler
Arda Guler is a tough one to fit, because he or Jude Bellingham could play in the 10 with the other in a double pivot next to Bernardo Silva. And Aurelien Tchouameni is another candidate to start in the defensive midfield. What is clear is that Mourinho loves Silva, after pushing Florentino Perez to sign him despite the president even rejecting the Portuguese international in his prime. Guler in a deep lying role next to the industrious Silva is a match made in heaven, and Carlo Ancelotti had already teased the Andrea Pirlo role for the young Turk.
The Attack: LW Vinicius Junior - AM Jude Bellingham - RW Yan Diomande - ST Kylian Mbappe
A 4-2-3-1 means that Kylian Mbappe will be the main striker and free to roam wherever he wants in the attack, with Yan Diomande and Vinicius Junior staying wide and coming in to support him while also supplying him with copious chances.
The importance of Jude Bellingham as a 10 is obvious. While he could be an 8 - or even a 6 - with Arda Guler as a 10, having a box crasher capable of scoring 20 goals in a season as a rare breed of the modern 10 is a massive asset with a striker with Mbappe's free playing style.
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