Jose Mourinho, the manager of Real Madrid, is facing a defensive crisis as the team prepares for the 2026/27 La Liga season. After an active summer transfer window that saw the club sign notable players such as Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva, and Denzel Dumfries, the excitement has dimmed due to a lack of additional signings that Mourinho had requested.

Despite the initial influx of talent, Real Madrid's squad is now showing signs of strain. Mourinho had hoped to bolster his midfield and defense further, particularly in light of injuries to key players. Eder Militao is still recovering from an injury, and Raul Asencio is also unavailable, leaving the team with only three healthy center backs to start the season.

With the current lineup, Mourinho is relying on Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, and Antonio Rudiger to fill the gaps. However, Rudiger's performance during the preseason has raised concerns about his readiness to step up when needed. The absence of a new central defender, such as Aymeric Laporte, has compounded the issue, and the team’s defensive capabilities are under scrutiny.

In addition to the defensive woes, Real Madrid's midfield is also a point of concern. While Bernardo Silva has shown promise in the preseason, the absence of a reliable additional midfielder has left Mourinho with limited options. The club's failure to secure Rodri, who now appears to be heading to rivals Barcelona, has further complicated the situation.

Real Madrid's management, led by Florentino Perez, has been criticized for not acting swiftly enough in the transfer market. Mourinho had expressed the need for more signings well before the window closed, particularly to address the thin center back situation. Although the summer transfer window is still open, the clock is ticking, and without further reinforcements, Mourinho faces a daunting challenge as the new season kicks off.