Real Madrid News
Jose Mourinho sees only one position for versatile Real Madrid superstar
As Real Madrid’s captain, Federico Valverde has been one of the first names on the team sheet for several years now. Yet, he has barely ever stayed fixated on a single position.
Despite being one of the team’s most important players over the years, the Uruguayan star has been used as a Swiss-knife by manager after manager who have all praised him for his versatility.
As a result, he has played as a full-back, a defensive midfielder, an attacking midfielder and even a winger based on the requirement of the team.
Mourinho values consistency
As reported by MARCA, the new Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is not a fan of Valverde being used all over the field. He sees the player as a midfielder and a midfielder only, specifically a deep-lying midfielder at that.
The player, after all, has started off the team’s games so far this season and has played as part of the double pivot on both nights alongside Bernardo Silva. He has enjoyed a strong start to the season, and his numbers speak volumes.
Against Real Sociedad, the player made three defensive actions, two recoveries and one interception.
He was not dribbled past in the entire game, won two duels and completed 93% of his passes. Beyond his defensive numbers, he assisted Kylian Mbappe and had two shots on goal.
Tchouameni’s return will complicate matters
It is clear at this point that Mourinho sees Valverde only as a midfielder, especially since he now has convincing options at full-back and on the right wing.
The central midfield is where the manager sees the player’s output to be the highest.
Part of the reason why Valverde has had a non-turbulent start to the season, however, is the injury Aurelien Tchouameni is suffering from.
The Frenchman has been the club’s de facto pivot player for a long time now and was expected to be the manager’s preferred option to partner Silva in the double pivot.
His absence helped the Uruguayan earn Mourinho’s favour and move up the pecking order. Tchouameni’s return, however, is not far off and it remains to be seen how the selection changes after he is back in action.
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.
