Real Madrid News
Mourinho fully trusts the Real Madrid academy as 16 youngsters called up for pre-season training
Jose Mourinho has often been portrayed as a manager who prioritises established stars, but his record at Real Madrid tells a very different story.
According to a detailed report from AS, the Portuguese coach has consistently shown faith in the club’s academy, and his second spell at the Santiago Bernabeu is already following the same path.
As per the outlet, Mourinho intends to place youth development back on the agenda at Real Madrid.
Having handed first-team debuts to 20 academy players during his initial spell in charge, the veteran coach has once again turned to La Fabrica as preparations for the new season gather pace.
Mourinho begins second spell with academy focus
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The first Real Madrid training session under Mourinho offered an early glimpse into his plans for the future.
Rather than working exclusively with senior players, the Portuguese coach included a whopping 16 academy prospects as he began assessing the club’s next generation of talent.
Notably, several members of the group already have first-team experience, including Palacios, Cestero, Fran Gonzalez and Victor Valdepenas.
The remaining youngsters selected by Mourinho were Joan Martinez, Sergio Mestre, Lamini Fati, Pol Fortuny, Roberto Martin, Jacobo Ortega, Lezcano, Melvin, Alexis Cira, Gabri Valero, Lacosta and Cherif Fofana, one of the most highly rated prospects in the academy.
Mourinho’s academy record at Real Madrid speaks for itself
Despite the perception that has followed him throughout much of his managerial career, Mourinho’s first spell at Real Madrid produced a remarkable number of academy breakthroughs.
No manager has handed more first-team debuts to Real Madrid academy players during the 21st century than the Portuguese.
Among the most notable success stories are Nacho Fernandez and Casemiro, both of whom were introduced to the senior squad under Mourinho before going on to enjoy outstanding careers at the club.
Their development has become one of the strongest examples of the long-term value of trusting academy players, and that history explains why there is renewed optimism surrounding Real Madrid academy graduates as Mourinho begins another chapter in Madrid.
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.
