Real Madrid are winning games, but the picture around the club is far from straightforward. Mourinho's side have made a flawless start to the LaLiga season, winning all three fixtures and scoring nine goals in the process, including a 4-0 home demolition of Malaga on August 30. They sit second in the table, level on points with leaders Barcelona. The results are hard to argue with, yet the backdrop is anything but calm.

The injury situation is the most pressing concern. Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio, Thiago Pitarch, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Endrick are all currently sidelined. Mendy's absence has cost him his place in the Champions League squad entirely, with Mourinho dropping the French left-back from the European list as he continues his recovery from a long-term muscle injury. Asencio, meanwhile, was cleared by a Spanish court of charges relating to an explicit video, but a separate traffic conviction has drawn a public rebuke from Mourinho, who made clear his frustration with the 23-year-old defender.

Off the pitch, the club's summer business drew attention for a different reason. La Fabrica generated a reported 210 million euros in academy player sales, effectively bankrolling the squad overhaul. A move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez fell through, with Manchester City winning that race. AZ Alkmaar's Kees Smit also rejected an approach from Madrid, choosing to stay in the Eredivisie.

Former manager Carlo Ancelotti visited the training ground this week and publicly backed Mourinho to succeed. The endorsement carries weight given the scrutiny surrounding the rebuild. A trip to Real Betis follows today, with the Madrid Derby against Atletico on September 20 approaching fast.