Federico Valverde

Analysis: Valverde made his 11th start of the season across La Liga and UCL competitions, though this time he played in a more defensive spot compared to the central midfield position he had occupied earlier in the campaign. The decision to leave both Denzel Dumfries and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench could be a sign that the duo is not fully convincing coach Jose Mourinho, so Valverde could see increased action in the back line in upcoming action, although the rotation may also allow him to move between defense and midfield given his status as one of the most versatile players on the team. The Uruguayan, who has scored one goal and two assists over his last 11 club appearances, should be able to add a variety of defensive stats if he stays in his new role in the future.

Sep 14, 2026

Makes squad for Elche clash

Valverde (undisclosed) makes the squad for Tuesday's clash against Elche, confirming the issue he suffered in Saturday's 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano was only minor, the club posted.

Analysis: Valverde had been substituted at halftime of the recent win over Rayo Vallecano as a precaution, with coach Jose Mourinho explaining at the time it was tied to a minor issue rather than anything serious given the comfortable scoreline. His inclusion in the squad list for Tuesday's clash against Elche now confirms he has recovered, positioning him to continue building on a productive recent stretch that included a goal against Inter Milan and strong defensive numbers.