Bernardo Silva is expected to line up alongside Federico Valverde in Real Madrid’s double pivot for Saturday’s LaLiga opener at Espanyol, with José Mourinho’s midfield for the new season reportedly settled. It is the first significant selection call of the Portuguese’s second spell in charge, and it leaves Aurélien Tchouaméni — on paper the squad’s most natural holding midfielder — on the outside.
Madrid Universal report the plan, citing MARCA via Madrid Xtra: Bernardo Silva as the deeper playmaker, Valverde beside him. The slot next to him was the genuine contest, and Tchouaméni’s summer has settled it for now — the Frenchman is reported not to have played a minute of pre-season because of muscular discomfort. He agreed a new contract at Real Madrid earlier this month, so this reads as a fitness call rather than a verdict.
Why Bernardo Silva starts deep
Valverde’s running power covers the ground behind a creator, which is exactly what Bernardo Silva is being asked to be. Mourinho has already seen the pairing: the two started as a double pivot in the final pre-season friendly in Gelsenkirchen, a 3-0 win for Los Blancos. Mourinho said afterwards that the shape of his side is coming.
Tactically, the ideas are gradually taking shape. The players have superior quality, incredible quality. We’re working very well as a team, with and without the ball… I think it was a very good test, a very good final training session before the real work begins, because the real work is competing, fighting for points.
José Mourinho
Real Madrid are back at Valdebebas this week before travelling to Catalonia for a fixture Bernabéu Digital place on 22 August. Nothing about the double pivot is permanent — once Tchouaméni is up to speed, the argument starts again.
