Real Madrid have been handed a major injury boost during the international break. Defender Eder Militao has rejoined team training and is nearing his return after being sidelined since the spring following surgery on a torn hamstring. When fit, the defender has proven that he's not just Real Madrid's best defender, but one of the best defenders in the world.
Despite bringing in three new defensive signings in the summer, Real Madrid have still been conceding goals they shouldn't be, so the Brazilian's return is no doubt a warm welcome to Jose Mourinho, but where does he fit in? Let's take a look at how Real Madrid could line up with Eder Militao back in the starting XI.
How does Jose Mourinho fit Eder Militao back into his team?
GK - Thibaut Courtois
This is probably the easiest selection in the team and doesn't need much explanation. Courtois is still one of, if not the best goalkeeper in the world and has saved Real Madrid from dropping more points on multiple occasions already this season, and is one of the few players who is rightfully undroppable.
LB - Marc Cucurella
The Spaniard arrived at Real Madrid this summer off the back of his strong World Cup campaign, and with Alvaro Carreras' form not being great through the early parts of the season and Ferland Mendy still recovering from surgery, Cucurella is the undisputed starter at left-back. He still hasn't reached the level he showed this summer, but he is still the best option Jose Mourinho can pick for his starting lineup.
CB - Eder Militao
Next comes Militao. He will slot right back into the starting lineup, with his pace and physicality being what sets him apart from the other central defenders in the team. The Brazilian has also proven to be an aerial threat on set pieces, an added bonus for Jose Mourinho. While he will surely come off the bench to start his return, once he is back to match fitness, it would be best for Real Madrid for him to go back into the starting lineup, even if it's at the expense of Ibrahima Konate. Which leads to our next selection:
CB - Dean Huijsen
Huijsen has looked like a completely different player than he did in his debut season last year, with Mourinho unlocking a new version of the player. He looks stronger, quicker, and has an intensity in him this season that we didn't see last season. Outside of the red card against Atletico, Huijsen has yet to put a foot wrong this season and has earned his starting role back after a lacklustre debut campaign.
RB - Denzel Dumfries
Dumfries was another of the new defensive arrivals this summer and has quickly established himself as Jose Mourinho's first choice right-back. The Dutchman has had any jaw-dropping performances so far this season, and after a strong international break, Trent Alexander-Arnold is making a case that he should be the starter going forward. However, Mourinho prefers Dumfries over the Englishman, so even if Trent is playing better, the manager is still likely to go with Dumfries.
DM - Aurelien Tchouameni & Fede Valverde
The midfield is still proving to be the weakest link at Real Madrid this season, with Jose Mourinho still struggling to find the perfect balance. With Tchouameni now back from injury, he's hoping pairing the Frenchman with Valverde in a midfield pivot will help bring that balance, with Tchouameni occupying the defensive midfield role, giving Valverde the freedom to get more involved in the attack while also still tracking back to defend. Alvaro Arbeloa struggled to get the duo to work together, but if there's anyone who can get it to work, we know it's Jose Mourinho.
LW - Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior has easily been the worst player for Real Madrid so far this season, and while it would make more sense for someone like Rodrygo on the left-wing, similar to the Dumfries-Trent dilemma, Vinicius is Jose's guy, so while starting someone else would be the better option, Mourinho is going to stick with his guy and keep starting Vinicius, even if it's a detriment to the team as a whole.
CAM - Jude Bellingham
Much like Courtois, Bellingham is one of the few players in the team that has earned his undroppable status. The Englishman has been one of the best players in the world through the early parts of the season, looking like the Bellingham we saw in the 23/24 season, and with everywhere Real Madrid has been lacking on the pitch, the team needs what he brings on both sides of the ball more than ever.
RW - Arda Guler
Guler has been one of the few bright spots in the team so far this season and is one of the few players that you can clearly tell is actually trying to win games. The Turkish international has chipped in a goal and three assists so far, and is desperately needed in a team that is still lacking in creativity.
ST - Kylian Mbappe
And finally, we come to Kylian Mbappe. While he's not perfect and has his many faults, he's been the only real goal threat so far this season, grabbing eight goals in the first eight games, and has kept Real Madrid in games that they realistically should have lost. The Frenchman may be on the bad side of some Real Madrid fans at the moment, but Jose Mourinho is going to stick with him through it all.
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