Real Madrid News
Mourinho eyeing game-changing tactical tweak to maximise Mbappe’s output next season – report
Real Madrid are preparing for a new era under Jose Mourinho, and early signs suggest Kylian Mbappe will sit at the heart of the Portuguese coach’s long-term project.
Rather than asking the French superstar to operate as a traditional centre-forward, the club is working on a tactical system that will maximise his biggest strengths.
The idea is not to change Mbappe’s position, but to influence the team’s attacking structure around him.
According to AS, Mourinho is believed to be laying the foundations for a system that allows the Frenchman to receive the ball in dangerous areas with space to attack, rather than spending long periods battling central defenders inside the penalty area.
What is Real Madrid’s plan?
As per the outlet, the coaching staff believes Mbappe is at his most dangerous when attacking open space rather than operating with his back to goal.
Hence, instead of being deployed as a fixed number nine, the French international is expected to play from wider and deeper attacking positions, allowing him to use his pace and direct running against defenders.
That tactical adjustment would enable Mbappe to receive possession outside the penalty area before driving towards goal, where he is most effective.
It also gives him more opportunities to shoot from the edge of the box and isolate defenders in one-on-one situations.
Real Madrid’s vision is to create an attacking environment that naturally suits Mbappe’s qualities rather than asking him to adapt to a role that limits his strengths.
Mourinho to play a big role
The aforementioned outlet explains that Mourinho is once again studying the 4-2-3-1 formation that has defined much of his managerial career.
Within that structure, Vinicius Jr. would start from a slightly deeper position on the left, while Jude Bellingham would be encouraged to make more advanced runs into the penalty area.
Those movements would create additional space for Mbappe to attack from outside the box, reducing the need for him to remain between opposition centre-backs throughout the match.
Following criticism of his defensive work last season, the French forward has accepted that improvements are needed without possession.
And although Mourinho is still refining his ideas during pre-season, the first building blocks of his tactical project are already becoming visible, focused around Mbappe.
According to TeamTalk, Real Madrid have joined the growing list of clubs monitoring Gabriel Rajkovic, a 15-year-old winger whose rapid development at Valerenga has already attracted attention from several of Europe’s leading sides.
The Merengues are known for keeping an eye on exciting young talent across the globe and it seems that Rajkovic’s exploits in Norway, with the first team, have alerted them.
Real Madrid keeping tabs on Rajkovic
As per the report, Real Madrid are among a host of clubs closely following the progress of the young forward.
Rajkovic holds both Norwegian and Serbian nationality and has emerged as one of the most promising young players in Norway.
His development has not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also understood to be monitoring him.
However, at this point, it is Arsenal and Chelsea, who are understood to be leading the charge for Rajkovic, having compiled a detailed dossier on the teenage prodigy after extensive scouting.
On top of that, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all watched Rajkovic in recent weeks.
Real Madrid could therefore face significant competition if they decide to step up their interest in a player who has already made an impression at senior level.
Making an impact at just 15
Rajkovic was handed a promotion to the Valerenga first-team squad in January earlier this year, when he was only 14 years old.
Following that, he signed a new contract with the club in March, when he turned 15, committing to the club until 2028.
Despite being only 15, the winger has already begun gaining experience in first-team football. In all, he has made 14 senior appearances for the Norwegian outfit, scoring three and assisting one goal.
Rajkovic has also represented Norway Under-16s, making two appearances and scoring once despite being younger than many of his teammates.
Those numbers become more impressive when his age and stage of development are taken into account.
Real Madrid have built a reputation for identifying young talent well before players reach their peak, and Rajkovic has now emerged as another name on their scouting radar.
But given the number of clubs in the race, signing the teenage wonderkid will not be easy.
