Real Madrid’s midfield crisis has reached a critical point, forcing coach Jose Mourinho to consider an unexpected solution for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Inter Milan. With a long list of absentees, the spotlight has turned to the club’s youth academy, Castilla, as a potential source of salvation.
A Midfield in Shambles
The white team’s engine room is experiencing one of its worst spells this season. Federico Valverde stands as the only fully fit and available defensive midfielder for the European encounter. The list of absentees is staggering: Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Guler are suspended, while Aurelien Tchouameni and Thiago Betancur are injured. Although the latter two have returned to group training, sources close to the team indicate that starting them is out of the question, and even a place on the bench remains doubtful.
Five simultaneous absences have painted a grim in Mourinho’s tactical planning, compelling him to look toward the Castilla youth setup for answers.
A Message from the Pitch: 90 Minutes That Ignited Mourinho's Interest
The second reason for this potential youth promotion came from the pitch. During Saturday’s Castilla match, Mourinho devised a clever plan to test the young duo: Chema Andres played the entire first half, and Sergio Martinez replaced him for the second. Those minutes were enough for both players to impress the Portuguese coach.
According to Marca, Chema, Castilla’s midfield leader, not only dictated the tempo with confidence but also capped his performance with a stunning goal that gave the reserve team the lead. Sergio Martinez, on his debut for Castilla, showcased his immense talent with flashes of skill and strong character, despite not yet being fully integrated with his new teammates.
Chema Andres: The More Mature and Logical Choice
In the speculation at Valdebebas, the scales tip clearly in favor of Chema Andres, and for good reason. The midfielder completed the entire summer preseason with the first team, making him more attuned to Mourinho’s ideas and the group’s dynamics. He also has prior experience with the senior squad, having played five official matches last season—one as a starter—across three competitions: La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey.
Chema was not just a player for Castilla; he was the undisputed leader under Alvaro Arbeloa and Julian Lopez de Lerma, playing crucial matches in the promotion playoff to the second division and the UEFA Youth League finals that Real Madrid won. His market value of €7 million, according to Transfermarkt, makes him the most valuable graduate of La Fabrica currently. Arbeloa himself described him in October with memorable words: “He is the best number 6 in Spain right now.” It’s no surprise that Mourinho has kept him close since the first day of preseason.
Sergio Martinez: The Future Bet
In contrast, Sergio Martinez represents the future and a rapidly rising talent. His impact has been immediate and impressive. Although he started the season with Racing and has over 300 minutes of experience in the second division last season, his recent arrival at Valdebebas and limited training sessions with the group might be the only obstacle preventing him from overtaking Chema in the race to face Inter.
Mourinho's Alternative Options: From Bellingham to Huijsen
Away from the youth prospects, Mourinho has few solutions without resorting to tactical improvisation.
The first and most realistic option: moving Jude Bellingham back to the pivot role alongside Valverde, and filling the playmaker position in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Brahim Diaz, Diomande, or Isco, to support Vinicius and Mbappe in attack.
The second option—a change in tactical shape: shifting to a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 by deploying Trent Alexander-Arnold as a third midfielder alongside Valverde and Bellingham, while strengthening the right flank with both Dumfries and Trent.
The revolutionary and final option: a tactical surprise by pushing defender Huijsen into midfield to utilize his passing quality and physical strength, relying on a central defensive duo of Rudiger and Konate.
