I have to admit, I find Real Madrid’s decision not to sign another midfielder quite interesting.
But I expected them to keep looking for another player who could give them more protection and control in the middle of the pitch after missing out on Rodri. Instead, it looks like the club has decided to trust the players already in the squad.
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At first, I was not sure about that decision. Rodri is not the kind of player you can easily replace. His ability to control games, win the ball and keep things moving is something most teams would love to have.
But maybe Real Madrid are looking at things differently though.
With Bernardo Silva now available and Arda Guler continuing to develop, there are some interesting options for Mourinho to work with. Silva, in particular, could have a very important role if Mourinho decides to use him deeper in midfield alongside Aurelien Tchouameni.
I'm curious to see how that works.
Silva is an excellent player and has the intelligence to play in different positions, but asking him to operate deeper comes with its own risks. He is not Rodri, and expecting him to simply perform the same job would be unfair.
For me, the more exciting part is Guler.
The Turkish youngster has already shown that he can create chances and find passes that many players don't even see. If Mourinho gives him the freedom to play behind the forwards, I think we could see a completely different side of his game.
And just imagine having Guler looking for passes to Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
That is a frightening attacking combination.
There is also the question of Fede Valverde. He has been such an important player for Madrid because of his energy and versatility, so I would not be surprised if Mourinho finds another way to keep him involved. Whether that is on the right side or somewhere else, leaving him out completely would be a big decision.
I personally think Madrid's midfield could work without Rodri, but everything will depend on balance.
You can have all the creativity in the world, but if the team cannot win the ball back or protect the defence, those attacking qualities won't mean much.
That is where Mourinho's experience will be tested.
Maybe the failure to sign Rodri will eventually turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Instead of spending another huge amount of money, Madrid could discover that the solution was already sitting inside the squad.
I'm definitely interested to see what Mourinho comes up with once the serious games begin.
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