Jose Mourinho hints at positional change for Real Madrid star

Real Madrid are in the final stages of their preparations for the 2026-27 campaign, which starts on Saturday against Espanyol. Jose Mourinho has had a productive first pre-season back at the Bernabeu, although it has not been perfect.

On the whole, Real Madrid have managed to fill out their squad with necessary signings, such as Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella and Yan Diomande. However, they have so far failed to sign a midfield controller, with previous targets Enzo Fernandez and Rodri having slipped through their fingers – and this is likely to mean that Mourinho seeks an in-house solution.

That solution could be Arda Guler, with Mourinho telling El Chiringuito (via Diario AS) that he expects the Türkiye international to develop into playing a deeper midfield role as his career progresses.

“I love Güler. I think something similar is going to happen to Modric or Bernardo Silva. You start in one position and end up in another, you start as a 10 and you will finish as an 8 or 6. I think Arda will go in that direction with his evolution and knowledge of the game.”

Mourinho on Silva: “He brings everything”

Guler may not immediately be moved back to that position, especially as Bernardo Silva is being lined up there at this stage. Mourinho spoke glowingly on his Portuguese compatriot, which also dismissing suggestions that he was only signed in order to land a blow on rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

“He brings everything. I hope to have few problems and a lot of stability, if we have that… For me Bernardo is a player in midfield today, but he can play as a 10, on the right wing, come inside. He can do everything, he has tremendous specific intelligence and he is a player that I have always loved. It has nothing to do with whether Atletico or Barça wanted him, it’s not that we’re going to steal it so that our neighbour is sad. It was my conviction that Bernardo is at Real Madrid level.”