Dumfries Starts All Three Pre-Season Matches at Right-Back as Mourinho Sets Hierarchy

Denzel Dumfries has started each of Real Madrid’s first three pre-season fixtures at right-back, establishing himself as Jose Mourinho’s preferred option ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

According to El Larguero, the Dutch defender has impressed the manager during early pre-season sessions and is now emerging as the first-choice selection on the right side of defence.

The €20 million transfer from Inter was initially viewed as a low-profile reinforcement—intended to provide competition and rotation behind Alexander-Arnold, who had been widely expected to retain the starting role after his debut season in Spain.

That expectation has shifted following Mourinho’s tactical deployment across the opening friendlies.

In the match against Fiorentina, Alexander-Arnold began at right-back while Dumfries operated on the right wing; the Englishman played the full 90 minutes, and Dumfries was substituted in the 75th minute.

Mourinho reversed the roles against Ferencváros: Dumfries started at right-back, and Alexander-Arnold entered the game in the second half.

The same pattern repeated against Deportivo—Dumfries again opened the match at right-back and played the full 90 minutes, though he advanced into a more attacking position after halftime.

Dumfries Moves Ahead in the Right-Back Hierarchy

When Real Madrid completed Dumfries’ signing, the assumption was clear: Alexander-Arnold would remain the primary right-back, with Dumfries serving as backup and rotational cover over the course of a demanding campaign.

Alexander-Arnold’s inconsistent first season in Spain had not diminished that perception—his technical profile and experience were seen as decisive advantages.

Dumfries, by contrast, was anticipated to contribute depth and flexibility, particularly in high-intensity or congested fixture periods.

Yet the distribution of minutes and positional assignments in pre-season has unsettled that initial framework.

Dumfries’ three consecutive starts—and Alexander-Arnold’s consistent introduction only after halftime—signal a recalibration of roles under Mourinho’s management.

Mourinho Assigns Distinct Tactical Functions to Each Player

Alexander-Arnold’s evolving responsibilities under Mourinho appear increasingly distinct from those of a conventional right-back.

Rather than functioning solely as a defensive anchor or overlapping wide presence, he is being positioned to shape Real Madrid’s build-up play from deeper zones.

His passing range and spatial awareness are central to this redefined function—suggesting a role more aligned with midfield orchestration than traditional full-back duties.

Dumfries, meanwhile, brings a direct, high-energy profile suited to covering ground, exploiting space in transition, and impacting play in advanced areas.

His positional fluidity—evident in shifts between right-back and right wing during pre-season—underscores Mourinho’s intent to deploy him as a dynamic, multi-functional asset.

This functional divergence explains why the two players are not being treated as interchangeable substitutes, but rather as complementary components within a broader tactical system.