Denzel Dumfries secures starting right-back role at Real Madrid

Denzel Dumfries has emerged as the preferred choice for the right-back position at Real Madrid under manager José Mourinho, ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold. While Alexander-Arnold was a key part of the preseason, Mourinho has utilized Dumfries in recent official matches, favoring the Dutchman's physicality and offensive contribution.

Following a 4-1 victory against Real Sociedad, Spanish media provided mixed reviews of Dumfries' performance. While some outlets like Mundo Deportivo and Marca described him as solid defensively, others were more critical. Diario AS noted he struggled to demonstrate his strengths in both defensive and attacking roles, citing missed crosses and positioning issues, while the outlet BijSport gave him a rating of 4, the lowest in the squad.

Mourinho appears to be exploring alternative roles for Alexander-Arnold to utilize his technical skills, potentially deploying him in midfield, as the competition for the right-back spot remains a focal point of the team's tactical setup.