Real Madrid News
Mourinho has a major decision to make regarding Real Madrid breakthrough starlet’s future
Jose Mourinho has inherited more than a first-team squad at Real Madrid. He has also inherited the development of several academy players who were given their chance by Alvaro Arbeloa.
Of the many players the former Los Blancos manager gave a chance to, one player who emerged as his favourite was Thiago Pitarch.
The Spanish youngster emerged as a trusted option for Arbeloa in midfield, starting some of Real Madrid’s biggest games of the season, including the Champions League.
It was not just Pitarch. According to Mundo Deportivo, Arbeloa’s short spell as interim coach did not bring trophies, but he was praised for trusting young players he knew well from Castilla, including Manuel Angel and Cesar Palacios.
Now Mourinho has to decide what happens next. These players still belong to the reserve structure, but their growth cannot simply pause because the senior squad has become overcrowded.
That makes Thiago Pitarch the most interesting case.
Pitarch needs clarity
Pitarch was the academy player used most often last season, playing 16 matches with the first team.
The 18-year-old is currently with Spain at the U19 European Championship, and once he returns, Real Madrid must decide whether he stays with Mourinho or goes back to Castilla.
His profile is attractive. He is a combative midfielder, but also has verticality and the ability to break lines. That kind of energy can be useful for a senior squad that is still being reshaped.
The Merengues are also looking for a midfield signing who can bring similar qualities at a higher level. If another midfielder arrives, Pitarch’s first-team pathway becomes much narrower.
Mourinho must have a clear plan
This is a real test for Mourinho. He has a reputation for working with big personalities and established stars, but Real Madrid also need a coach who can identify which young players are worth protecting.
No one is asking Mourinho to gift minutes. At Real Madrid, that never works. However, Pitarch has already shown that he can be part of the first-team squad.
Pre-season will be decisive. Pitarch will most likely get a chance to shine, and if he can impress Mourinho, there might be sense in keeping him around.
This is not just about one teenager, though. It is about proving that Arbeloa’s courage with the academy does not disappear under a more senior coach.
Pitarch may end up at Castilla, and even that would not be a bad plan. It remains to be seen how Jose handles the player’s future.
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
