Does José Mourinho’s Real Madrid Have Enough Depth to Win Trophies Again? Who Could Leave?

Unlike during his first spell, the Portuguese manager faces a different situation with the players at his disposal.

Real Madrid under José Mourinho are starting the 2026-27 season with one clear obligation: they have to win again.

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After a trophyless campaign last season, Los Blancos need to compete for LaLiga, the Champions League and the other domestic cups, but one debate is already taking shape: does Real Madrid have too many players for a small squad, or do the number of injuries mean more reinforcements are needed?

The 2-1 victory over Ferencváros produced positive signs at times, but it also highlighted the squad-depth issue once again.

Mourinho was clear about his vision: “We want a small squad, around 20 players.” The problem is that injuries could turn that approach into a major risk.

Mourinho Wants 20 Players, but Injuries Change the Picture

On paper, Madrid have almost two options at every position and, in some areas, even three. However, the current injury situation significantly reduces those alternatives. Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo are dealing with injuries, while Dean Huijsen, Raúl Asencio and Thiago Pitarch have also experienced fitness issues during preseason.

Mourinho also sent another message to the club’s hierarchy: “We need another player like Bernardo,” highlighting the importance of having players capable of performing multiple roles.

That is where the contradiction emerges: the manager wants a small squad, but injuries make it necessary to have more players available. Having 20 healthy players is one thing; going into four competitions with a 20-man squad while several key players are unavailable is something completely different.

Vinícius, Valverde and the Transfer Rumors

The transfer market has also added noise to the project. Vinícius Jr. and Federico Valverde have been linked with potential departures, along with other names in the squad. However, it is important to separate speculation from facts.

Valverde, for example, returned to preseason as Real Madrid’s first captain and spoke enthusiastically about working with Mourinho. At least for now, that hardly fits the picture of a player who has been deemed surplus to requirements.

The same applies to Vinícius. His name has been involved in transfer speculation, but there has been no confirmed departure. Rather than talking about a complete overhaul, Madrid must decide which players are essential to the project and which could be pushed into secondary roles.

And that creates another problem: if Mourinho really intends to work with around 20 players, having too many top-level players could create issues with playing time and the dressing room, but having too few could be even more dangerous.

From Cristiano Ronaldo to an Injury-Hit Squad: The Big Difference

Comparing this period with Mourinho’s previous spell in Madrid helps illustrate the difference. Between 2010 and 2013, the Portuguese manager had a star-studded squad with Cristiano Ronaldo as the team’s main attacking reference. That team produced extraordinary numbers: in the 2011-12 season, it won LaLiga with 100 points and 121 goals, setting a historic scoring record in the Spanish top flight.

The context is different now. Kylian Mbappé is the team’s main attacking figure, alongside Vinícius, Jude Bellingham and a generation filled with outstanding talent, but Mourinho is beginning his project with injuries already having an impact.

And this is not an issue exclusive to the Portuguese manager. Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso also had to deal with injury-hit squads. Alonso had as many as nine players unavailable through injuries or suspension for a December 2025 match and acknowledged that he needed players to return in order to avoid playing “on the limit.”

Is Real Madrid’s Squad Good Enough to Win LaLiga and the Champions League?

In terms of quality, yes. In terms of depth and fitness, there are still questions. Madrid have enough talent to challenge for every trophy, but winning LaLiga, the Champions League and the domestic cups requires more than a star-studded starting XI. The team needs rotation, consistency and player availability.

If Madrid recover their injured players and manage to keep their key stars healthy, Mourinho will have the tools to compete until the end of the season. But if injuries once again become a major storyline, a 20-player squad could prove too small.

The conclusion seems clear: Real Madrid do not have too many stars; they have too many questions about who will be available when the decisive matches arrive. After a trophyless season, there will be very little room for error.