English Premier League
Mourinho faces Real Madrid squad squeeze as three players placed in exit frame
Jose Mourinho is facing a three-player surplus at Real Madrid after the first-team squad grew to 26, despite the Portuguese manager wanting to work with 20 senior players plus the three long-term injured members of his squad: Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy.
Mourinho made his preference clear after the match in Budapest, saying: “I want a small squad, with 20 players plus the injured.”
The continued presence of Tiago Pitarch with the first team has taken the squad’s total to 26. Mourinho is understood to be broadly satisfied with the group available to him, although several players could leave before the transfer window closes.
Real Madrid have spent 225m euros on six signings intended to meet the manager’s requirements. Those arrivals are Diomande, Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva and Carlos Espai.
Rodri had been expected to be the headline addition, but the Manchester City midfielder left the club at a crucial point. Real Madrid have no plans at present to return to the market for another central midfielder.
A new centre-back could become a possibility if the club receives a suitable offer for Sergio Asensio and the Real Madrid academy graduate agrees to leave. Asensio has repeatedly said he wants to remain at the club.
Mourinho is attempting to make use of players who can operate in more than one position. Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva can both play across the attacking line as well as in midfield, while Jude Bellingham offers similar flexibility.
However, the manager believes that keeping players who are unlikely to receive significant playing time could create tension within the dressing room. That is an environment he is keen to avoid.
Camavinga and Mendy among those in focus
Real Madrid remain hopeful of selling Eduardo Camavinga but have not received any serious offers for the France midfielder during the current summer transfer window.
Camavinga has hinted that he would like to stay, although that position could change if one of Europe’s major clubs makes an approach. Real Madrid would not oppose his departure if an appropriate offer arrived.
Mourinho was impressed by Camavinga’s performances during pre-season and has also praised the player’s commitment in training.
Endrick’s situation had been more delicate, but the club has abandoned the idea of sending him out on loan at Mourinho’s request, according to Spanish newspaper AS.
Attention has therefore turned to Ferland Mendy, particularly because Real Madrid currently have three players who can operate at left-back. The club would like to find a solution to Mendy’s position, but AS reports that the player has no intention of leaving at this stage.
Real Madrid are also waiting for offers for Asensio, who remains confident he can convince Mourinho that he is the right player for the manager’s project.
Asensio worked hard throughout pre-season before suffering a muscle injury to his quadriceps. He is expected to be absent from training at Valdebebas for six weeks, making it more difficult for serious bids to arrive before the transfer window closes.
Mourinho’s plan is to have two players for every position, but there are currently excess numbers in several areas. Centre-back is one of them until Militao returns, although the defender’s situation remains uncertain.
Left-back is another problem area because Mendy is regarded as a difficult player to rely on. There is also an excess of options on the right wing, with Bernardo Silva able to cover several positions, including midfield, while the striker department is also well stocked.
If any of the players identified as surplus leave, Real Madrid will regard that as a positive outcome. If suitable offers do not arrive, they are likely to remain with the squad.
The club has already laid the foundations of Mourinho’s team. The remaining task is to settle the futures of the players beyond the manager’s preferred numbers before the transfer window shuts.
