Brahim Diaz faces fight for Real Madrid starting role as Mourinho weighs attacking options

After three weeks of intensive training, Jose Mourinho is beginning to establish the style he wants Real Madrid to play, with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation offering plenty of attacking possibilities while creating a difficult selection puzzle before every match.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the attacking third has become the most competitive area of the squad. The players operating there will be expected to create space and provide the decisive passes for the forwards, but Mourinho has an unusually wide range of choices available as he begins his second spell at Santiago Bernabeu, 13 years after leaving the club.

Jude Bellingham is regarded as the leading candidate to start in the number 10 role. The England international’s outstanding display for his country at the most recent World Cup has strengthened his position, and his place in Mourinho’s preferred line-up appears close to secure.

However, Bellingham is expected to face strong competition from Bernardo Silva. The Portugal international is one of the most notable signings of the current summer and arrived at Real Madrid at Mourinho’s specific request, giving him a particular advantage in the manager’s plans.

The standing of Bellingham and Bernardo Silva puts other attacking options further down the pecking order, including Arda Guler. The Turkiye international has had an intermittent role at Real Madrid and has not yet been given enough opportunities to demonstrate his full ability.

Brahim Diaz is also part of the competition after returning to the club from his loan spell at AC Milan. Although Diaz has played more than 30 matches in a season in recent years, he has still not established himself as a regular starter.

That record means his prospects of winning the position are considered limited compared with Bellingham and Bernardo Silva. The Moroccan will therefore have to overcome two high-profile rivals if he is to secure a consistent place in Mourinho’s first-choice side.

The demanding schedule expected during the new season should provide Mourinho with plenty of chances to rotate his players. Even so, the technical demands of the team and the intense competition for trophies will force the Portuguese manager to make difficult decisions, particularly in the most important matches.

Mourinho’s 4-2-3-1 system is designed to give Real Madrid several ways to attack, but the depth of talent behind the main contenders means that not every player can expect a regular starting place. For Diaz, that could make him the first major casualty of the manager’s emerging plans, even if the congested fixture list eventually offers him further opportunities.