According to Marca, with Heuijsen's suspension and injuries to Konate, Asensio, and Militao, Real Madrid currently has only Rudiger available as a center-back. Deploying Tchouameni in the position is the clearest option.

Mourinho faces a significant problem at center-back. This time it is not about choosing between two options. The Portuguese coach is preparing for the season restart, but Rudiger is the only available first-team center-back for the match against Villarreal. Heuijsen received a red card in the derby and is suspended for one match; Asensio has just undergone surgery; and Konate will not be able to return before the October 10 match.

This situation forces the coach to adjust his lineup. At the Valdebebas training ground, Tchouameni is one of the clearest alternative options. The French player is familiar with the position and has played as a makeshift center-back before, making him a reliable option for Mourinho to pair alongside Rudiger in central defense. Of course, this is not the only solution available.

Converting Tchouameni to center-back is the most obvious solution. The midfielder possesses excellent physical qualities, passing ability, and heading prowess, and most importantly, he is familiar with the position. Mourinho is neither the first nor will he be the last to deploy the Frenchman in a defensive crisis. Furthermore, this option requires minimal changes to the rest of the team. The French midfielder, comfortable on the ball, can initiate clean passes from the back without needing to turn.

Another alternative is to use Dumfries. The Dutch player's physical condition allows him to operate at center-back in specific situations. During preseason, Mourinho demonstrated that when circumstances demand it, he is willing to try unconventional solutions. After the friendly against Alcorcón in August, the coach explained that he had to pair Arnold with Dumfries, "trying to find a rhythm that suited this style of play."

This defensive crisis has also opened the door for academy players. Mario Rivas, Joan Martínez, and Diego Aguado are all options Mourinho can deploy to strengthen the defense. Importantly, the coach is not discovering these young players now. Since the start of the season, he has repeatedly emphasized that academy players are part of his squad planning. In August, he said, "The academy youngsters are filling these vacant positions, training with us, and performing very well." A remark he then added now carries extra weight: "The door is open."

Weeks later, ahead of the match against Betis, he was more direct: "As the season progresses, suspensions and injuries will inevitably occur, and the youngsters will naturally get their chances." Among the many prospects, Mario Rivas is a name the coach particularly monitors. The 19-year-old center-back trained with the first team throughout the latter half of preseason, and Mourinho has personally observed his abilities.

In the friendly against Fiorentina, Rivas partnered Joan Martínez in central defense, and afterwards Mourinho praised both: "João and Mario are two youngsters with a bright future. They demonstrated very high football IQ in a match that had not yet reached the stage of intense physical confrontation." The third academy option is Diego Aguado. With this youngster available, the coach has multiple young alternatives and does not have to rely solely on one player.

There is one final option, but he will not be ready for the first match. The Brazilian player is making rapid progress in his recovery, and his rehabilitation is proceeding very well, but he is still in the rehabilitation process. Therefore, he cannot be a reliable solution for the match against Villarreal; however, if he maintains his current recovery pace, he is expected to alleviate the defensive crisis in the near term. For now, Mourinho must first address the immediate challenge.

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