Mourinho identifies four-man plan to address Real Madrid’s build-up problems

Jose Mourinho is using the international break to reshape Real Madrid’s midfield and improve the way they build attacks from the back, according to Spanish website Defensa Central.

The Real Madrid manager has selected Arda Guler, Bernardo Silva, Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde to take responsibility for progressing the ball, believing their technical ability and control in possession make them better suited to the role than Aurelien Tchouameni.

Mourinho reportedly does not view Tchouameni as the ideal player to handle the ball under intense pressure, despite the Frenchman’s importance as a defensive midfielder. Instead, he wants to use him primarily to regain possession, contain opposition attacks and exploit spaces.

The change would allow Real Madrid’s other midfielders to take greater responsibility during the first phase of their attacks, while Tchouameni focuses on the defensive aspects of the team’s play.

Valverde is expected to have a central role in a double-pivot midfield. Guler and Bernardo Silva would support him during the early stages of build-up by dropping into deeper positions, creating more passing options and reducing the effect of the pressure applied by opponents.

Mourinho also wants to gradually move Bellingham into a more advanced position. The England midfielder would act as a link between midfield and attack, create space for his team-mates and provide a free player when Real Madrid face opponents defending in a compact shape.

That approach is intended to help the team move the ball forward more quickly and make their collective movement more effective.

A key part of Mourinho’s plan is ensuring Valverde is not left isolated when Real Madrid are trying to play out, particularly against teams that press aggressively. The system will depend on coordinated movement from the midfielders and the creation of passing angles that allow the side to escape pressure while retaining possession.

Tchouameni’s reduced involvement in build-up play would not represent a fall in his importance under Mourinho. Rather, the manager is seeking to make better use of the midfielder’s defensive strengths instead of asking him to perform duties that do not match his characteristics.

The proposed role would differ from those given to Tchouameni during previous coaching periods under Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.