Mourinho’s super six! ‘Guaranteed’ Real Madrid starters revealed as Trent sent chilling warning

Updated: 18 Jul 2026 13:30 BST | 4 min read

Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

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Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has selected six untouchables at the Bernabeu but has equally delivered a warning to Trent Alexander-Arnold over his status at the club.

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Mourinho has arrived to straighten out the chaos that ensued in the Spanish capital last season. Madrid were persistently troubled by reports of dressing room discord, which prompted the January departure of Xabi Alonso.

The Portuguese was appointed largely because of his man-management style, and he has wasted little time in picking out half a dozen players who are ‘guaranteed’ to start for him, according to AS.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold

D (R)

Real Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold

D (R)

Real Madrid

ETV Range

€47.6M - €58.1M

Mourinho is ready to make ‘tough decisions’, the report claims, but the former Manchester United and Chelsea manager has already selected six of his regular starting XI.

Of the club’s four summer signings, only Marc Cucurella will be guaranteed to start, leaving Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Bernardo Silva to fight for their spots in the team.

The five other players who are ‘practically guaranteed’ to start are goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, midfielders Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde, and forwards Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

© IMAGO - Vini Jr: Guaranteed to start under Mourinho

Alexander-Arnold faces Dumfries test

The greatest uncertainty for Mourinho and Real Madrid lies in defence, where Alexander-Arnold faces a battle for regular game time after missing out on England’s World Cup squad following a mixed first season in Spain.

AS has delivered a worrying message to the former Liverpool man, suggesting that his new manager will be minded to pick Dumfries over him.

It states: “The Dutchman’s characteristics (defensive skills, physique, work rate, etc.) are a better fit for what the Portuguese coach demands.”

Equally, though, it is suggested that Alexander-Arnold could be favoured if Mourinho wants more attacking threat down the right, which is one area that Real Madrid are seeking to strengthen in the weeks ahead.

Olise deal to decide Alexander-Arnold’s future?

Los Blancos are tracking Michael Olise, who is starting to press for a summer transfer away from Bayern Munich to the Spanish giants.

If Madrid are unable to complete a deal for the France international, they will look for an internal solution, with Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz in direct competition for the spot as Rodrygo is not expected to return to action following serious injury until 2027.

Alexander-Arnold’s future therefore seems to be tied to that of Olise. If Real Madrid get their man, the England star will likely be made more peripheral, but if they miss out, he could very well become Mourinho’s first choice.