Real Madrid News
Jose Mourinho handpicks Real Madrid academy talents for crucial pre-season test – report
Real Madrid pre-season officially gets underway today, but behind the scenes, Jose Mourinho has already been laying the foundations for what he hopes will be a successful new chapter at the Santiago Bernabeu.
According to MARCA, the Portuguese manager has spent the past few weeks analysing detailed reports on his squad while also identifying the academy players he wants to evaluate personally during the opening weeks of training.
With several senior players still unavailable following their involvement in the FIFA World Cup, Mourinho will begin work with a squad made up of first-team regulars and some of the club’s most highly-rated youngsters.
As a result, the opening phase of Real Madrid pre-season training represents a major opportunity for the club’s emerging talents to prove they belong at the highest level.
Mourinho identifies academy star for first-team assessment
The latest Real Madrid news suggests Mourinho has taken a hands-on approach before even stepping onto the training pitch.
Rather than relying solely on recommendations from the academy staff, the Real Madrid manager has personally reviewed reports on several youth prospects before deciding which players he wants to monitor closely.
For those academy graduates, this opportunity will be their first real chance to impress Mourinho directly and compete for a place in his long-term plans.
The timing also works in their favour, as several Real Madrid players are still completing their mandatory post-World Cup break and will return gradually over the coming weeks after receiving around three weeks of physical and mental recovery.
Until then, Mourinho will have valuable time to assess the younger members of the squad in a competitive training environment.
Mourinho sets new standards
While squad evaluation is a major focus, Mourinho has informed the staff and players that the new campaign must be approached as a mission rather than simply another season.
Changing the daily culture appears to be one of Mourinho’s first priorities. His objective is not only to compete for trophies but also to establish higher standards in training, preparation and commitment throughout the squad.
That mentality is expected to influence every aspect of Real Madrid’s pre-season, with every training session carrying significant importance regardless of whether the participants are experienced internationals or academy prospects hoping to make an impression.
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
