Mourinho’s Real Madrid squad strengthened by three returning stars at no cost

Jose Mourinho has received a major boost at Real Madrid, with Vinicius Junior, Bernardo Silva and Brahim Diaz returning to training and giving the club three important options without requiring a transfer fee.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Mourinho had asked for reinforcements and has now been given them from within the existing squad. The return of the trio provides the Real Madrid manager with greater depth after several weeks of working with a limited group.

For a team that has been forced to rely on academy players and a small number of experienced figures, the availability of three established players at once represents a significant lift. Their return comes after more than 20 training sessions at Valdebebas, during which Mourinho repeatedly called for additional players to complete the side that showed promising signs against Fiorentina.

The Portuguese coach had also warned that the squad was not yet fully available.

“I fear that not all the players will be available, and I would like to train with other players for three weeks. But that is not possible,” he said.

The demands of pre-season are particularly challenging for teams containing a large number of internationals. Mourinho has had to assemble and prepare his team in a short period, despite not yet being able to work with his full group.

Vinicius Junior is the most prominent of the returning players. The Brazil forward captained his country at the World Cup, although his efforts were not enough to prevent Brazil from being eliminated by Norway in the last 16. He also remained a regular subject of media attention during his holiday.

While his noticeable physical transformation has attracted interest, the more pressing issue for Real Madrid is the uncertainty surrounding his future.

As Marca reported in recent days, Vinicius Junior has been offered a new contract, but the club does not intend to improve its proposal. He must either sign it or be sold in August, with his current deal running until 2027. Real Madrid are certain he will not leave for free, and the situation is expected to continue until an agreement is reached.

Bernardo Silva and Brahim Diaz have also returned, offering Mourinho different qualities but an equally valuable injection of energy.

The Portugal midfielder recently joined Real Madrid on a free transfer from Manchester City at Mourinho’s request. His arrival addresses a need in midfield, where his ball control and work rate are qualities the manager believes can make the team more effective.

Silva’s contribution was limited during Portugal’s disappointing World Cup campaign, but his return to club football gives Mourinho an experienced option in the centre of the pitch as Real Madrid prepare for the new season.

Brahim Diaz, meanwhile, comes back in high spirits after helping Morocco reach the quarter-finals. His presence is expected to strengthen Real Madrid’s attacking options on the right wing, an area where the first-team squad had been seriously short of players.

That shortage was evident in the match against Fiorentina, when Mourinho was forced to use Denzel Dumfries on the right. Diaz’s return therefore gives the manager a natural option in a position that had become one of the squad’s clearest weaknesses.

The three players’ availability does not involve any new transfer expenditure, but it could significantly improve Mourinho’s preparations before the start of La Liga.