Real Madrid: Valverde’s armband doesn’t guarantee him a starting spot.

The armband alone won’t guarantee a starting spot for Federico Valverde. As José Mourinho begins his second tenure with Real Madrid, the Uruguayan midfielder is expected to wear the captain’s armband this season. However, according to Marca, this responsibility does not guarantee him a place in the starting lineup of the Portuguese coach.

The main headache is in midfield. Mourinho is expected to favor a system with a double pivot, which limits the number of available spots in the middle. The arrival of Bernardo Silva, signed from Manchester City, also adds to the competition. The Portuguese is expected to play an important role in Mourinho’s plans, particularly due to his ability to dictate the tempo and maintain ball control.

Valverde Under Pressure

In this setup, three players seem to be competing for two spots: Bernardo Silva, Valverde, and Tchouameni. If the Portuguese establishes himself as a key player, the battle could primarily be between Valverde and the French international.

As captain of Real Madrid, Valverde will thus have to prove himself on the pitch to secure a regular place in the starting eleven. This situation illustrates the depth of the new Madrid squad and the tough choices Mourinho will face from the very first weeks of the season.