Aurelien Tchouameni did not take part in Real Madrid's training session today and worked by himself instead of with the rest of the squad. The 26-year-old midfielder is now a doubt for Saturday's Valencia trip at Mestalla, and Madrid will train again tomorrow before a final decision on his availability is made.
Mourinho's selection puzzle
José Mourinho has already confirmed four starters for the Valencia vs Real Madrid contest, but the absences around him are adding up quickly. Vinícius Júnior is suspended, while Arda Güler returned to normal training today ahead of facing Valencia on Saturday.
Tchouameni is not a fringe option in this squad. He has made 7 La Liga appearances this season and played 538 league minutes, so losing him would remove a regular midfield starter rather than a backup. Madrid's third-placed position with 27 points and their seven-game winning run in all competitions give them room to cope, but the midfield balance Mourinho usually leans on would still take a hit.
Madrid's situation before Mestalla
The fixture in question is on 2026-11-07 at 20:00 UTC at Mestalla. Madrid travel with momentum, and that form helps explain why they can handle the noise around team news, but the final call on Tchouameni still sits with tomorrow's session.
If he does miss out, the selection problem lands in the middle of the pitch, where Madrid have relied on him for control and balance rather than end product.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
