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See the full story · 3 sourcesReal Madrid projected lineup 2026-27: Yan Diomande joins fearsome attack but Jose Mourinho has issues to solve originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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After a difficult recent slide by Real Madrid standards, the start of the 2026-27 season brings renewed hope and a new vision for Los Blancos.
With an old friend in Jose Mourinho brought back to ignite a turnaround, Madrid are looking to end a two-year wait to win La Liga, the Copa del Rey or Champions League and return the European giants to global prominence once again.
While president Florentino Perez hopes a busy summer transfer window will fill the gaps in the squad and provide much-needed depth, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham look to continue their global stardom and bring success back to the Spanish capital.
The Sporting News brings you an overview of what Real Madrid could look like this coming season, what their depth chart tells us, how their transfer window has progressed, and how they could stack up against other Spanish and European foes.
MORE: Vinicus Jr. signs new long-term contract with Real Madrid, warding off Arsenal interest
Real Madrid projected lineup 2026-27
Real Madrid projected starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): T. Courtois (GK) — T. Alexander-Arnold, I. Konate, D. Huijsen, M. Cucurella — F. Valverde, A. Tchouameni, J. Bellingham — Y. Diomande, K. Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.
Real Madrid second XI (4-3-3, right to left): A. Lunin (GK) — D. Dumfries, A. Rudiger, E. Militao, A. Carreras — B. Silva, E. Camavinga, A. Guler — B. Diaz, Espi, Endrick
Other squad players: Raul Asencio, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo.
The biggest question for Mourinho with regards to the starting lineup will be who to start along the back line, most notably at center-back where he has four starting-caliber players in Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konate, and Eder Militao.
Rudiger, now 33, has slowed as he ages, while Eder Militao has struggled with injuries throughout recent years. Given this, it's likely that all four will get game time, but it remains to be seen who Mourinho will go with from the start of the campaign with all fit and available.
Another decision remains at right-back, where Trent Alexander-Arnold is coming off a disappointing first season with the club, while Denzel Dumfries was also acquired in the offseason.
New record signing Yan Diomande should slot in at right wing from the beginning. In midfield, it will be seen where new signing Bernardo Silva ends up, but he will likely compete with captain Federico Valverde for playing time on the right of the midfield trio.
MORE: Where Yan Diomande fee ranks in Real Madrid history | Diomande's development in the USA
Jose Mourinho tactics, style of play
While the formation may look like a 4-3-3, Mourinho has been known for a 4-2-3-1 formation throughout much of his coaching career and could switch the players into such a look. Regardless, the two formations are very similar, and the fluidity of football often neutralizes the difference between the two.
Mourinho loves to set up with a rigid system that is highly structured, only releasing when the team gets out on the counter-attack. The counters will largely run through Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe, two of the quickest, most lethal transitional forwards in the world.
Bellingham will have more central creative responsibilities, able to drop deep to receive possession or advance forward to create chances and crash the penalty area. Behind him, Aurelien Tchouameni will hold possession and shield the back line, while either Valverde or Silva play as the No. 8 in the double pivot — assuming Rodri chooses to sign for Barcelona over Madrid .
Pos Player Club Fee RW Yan Diomande RB Leipzig €125 million LB Marc Cucurella Chelsea €60 million RB Denzel Dumfries Inter Milan €20 million CM Bernardo Silva Man City Free transfer CB Liverpool Ibrahima Konate Free transfer Outgoing departures
Pos Player Club Fee ST Gonzalo Garcia Fulham €40 million* CM Cesar Palacios Fulham €10 million LB Fran Garcia Real Betis €4 million CM Mario Martin Getafe €3.5 million * Deal includes sell-on clause for Real Madrid to profit from any future transfer
Real Madrid strengths and weaknesses for 2026-27 season
Strengths: Fearsome front line
With the addition of Diomande, this Real Madrid team will deploy one of the most deadly forward units in the world.
Between Golden Boot winner Mbappe, Vinicius on a new contract, and a 19-year-old wizard in Diomande, this trio of attacking players is absolutely terrifying for opponents to defend.
Especially in Mourinho's counter-attacking style, which could look similar to how Carlo Ancelotti set up during his second stint in charge of Madrid, these front three will terrorize La Liga and Champions League opponents.
Weaknesses: A porous midfield
Madrid did a wonderful job of shoring up the struggling defensive line this offseason, increasing the depth and adding sheer talent in Konate and Dumfries.
What they did not address is the midfield, which is loaded with passing talent but still thin on defensive capabilities.
Tchouameni is an elite passer, but only a mediocre defender, and he has little defensive help around him to chip in. New addition Silva is 31 years old and slowing, and Valverde is a talented Swiss Army knife but has never been an elite contributor at any one skill. Bellingham can be a strong defensive presence if asked, but with him playing further up the field as a No. 10, that's a secondary objective for his position.
After seemingly missing out on Rodri to Clasico rivals Barcelona , this team doesn't have an elite defensive destroyer in the middle to break up counter-attacks, and that could cause problems.
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