Real Madrid News
Jose Mourinho shuts down Manchester United’s hopes of signing Real Madrid star – report
Aurelien Tchouameni’s future has been the subject of growing speculation in recent weeks, but it appears Real Madrid have already made their position clear.
The French midfielder has attracted interest from Manchester United following another frustrating season at Old Trafford, with the Premier League club exploring potential marquee additions ahead of a major rebuild.
Tchouameni’s name emerged among the players being monitored, especially as he approaches the final two years of his current contract in Spain.
However, any hopes of prising him away from the Santiago Bernabeu may already have hit a wall.
Mourinho says no!
According to Samuel Luckhurst, it appears incoming Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho wants the midfielder to remain at the club and has no intention of approving a summer departure.
For a player whose future had recently become the subject of debate, that backing could prove decisive, as Real Madrid are preparing for significant changes this summer.
New signings are arriving, Mourinho’s return is edging closer and Florentino Perez is beginning another presidential term.
Amid all that movement, the club is also deciding which players will form the foundation of the next project and Tchouameni appears to be one of them.
According to the journalist, Manchester United had identified the French international as a potential statement signing.
Yet sources suggest Real Madrid were never seriously considering his departure, as Mourinho views the former Monaco midfielder as an important piece of his plans and does not want the club to entertain offers.
Tchouameni is untouchable
That position is quite notable because Tchouameni’s position had recently been questioned following tensions within the dressing room, including an altercation involving Federico Valverde.
Those developments inevitably fuelled speculation that Madrid could be open to listening to proposals, but the opposite appears to be true.
While transfer rumours often intensify whenever a club goes through change, Real Madrid’s priority this summer seems to be strengthening the squad rather than dismantling it.
Hence, allowing one of their most valuable midfielders to leave would only create another problem to solve.
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
