Jose Mourinho Confirms Federico Valverde is Real Madrid's Starting RB

Although Real Madrid signed right-backs in two consecutive summers - Trent Alexander-Arnold in 2025 and Denzel Dumfries in 2026 - it is midfielder Federico Valverde who has been starting there (when available) in recent weeks.

We know that the Uruguayan international is capable of playing there, and has done so under Zinedine Zidane, Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and now Jose Mourinho, he has previously been fairly outspoken about not wanting to play there.

However, in a recent interview, he was asked about playing in that position, to which he gave a more upbeat response, saying he will play anywhere in order to try and help the team.

Well, it looks as if Mourinho himself agrees. Indeed so, as the boss has said (as relayed by theMadridZone) that Valverde will continue to be the starting right-back this season, and he will only play in midfield “occasionally”.

Interesting comments. A penny for the thoughts of both Alexander-Arnold and Dumfries. Mourinho has tried the former in midfield and the latter on the right wing— neither experiment worked. So ultimately, things are not looking good for either player.

It should be said that the season is long, particularly with potentially deep runs in the Copa del Rey and/or UEFA Champions League, so there will be opportunities at times for both of them to play. But yeah, it’s certainly not what either of them thought they would be signing up for, that’s for sure. 

As for the midfield, Aurelien Tchouameni has been superb of late, particularly in El Clasico— so perhaps that has played a part in Mourinho’s decision. As consistent as Valverde has been over the years in a white shirt, it is true that his level in midfield has not been good for quite some time now.

The reality is that a double pivot of Tchouameni and Valverde will not work. And when partnered with other players this season, the latter still hasn’t produced his best form.

This then gives a chance for someone like Bernardo Silva to give the team more control in games, as well as the option to give Eduardo Camavinga minutes in his nominal midfield role. Maybe even more minutes for Thiago Pitarch. There are still solid options even without the skipper in midfield.

Well, we shall have to wait and see what happens, but basically everything points to Valverde being the starting right-back for the foreseeable future. Let's see.