Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender rejects approach from Chelsea hoping to prove his worth to Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has arrived at Real Madrid with the sole objective of returning the team to their former glory. His transfer moves so far, on that front, signal that he sees the defence as the biggest problem.
The Portuguese manager has already signed Ibrahima Konate at centre-back, Marc Cucurella at left-back and Denzel Dumfries at right-back. He is now further pushing for another central defensive signing.
Given that Real Madrid already have Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Raul Asencio and Eder Militao competing at centre-back with the new signings, there is room for a departure.
Asencio, in that regard, has risen as the top option to leave.
Premier League giants knocking at his doorstep
In a recent report, Le Journal du Real bring an update on Asencio’s situation and states that Chelsea have now appeared at the player’s doorstep.
The Premier League giants appreciate the player and have approached him enquiring about his availability for a transfer this summer.
Asencio, however, has rejected the interest as he does not see this as the right time to give up on his dream of succeeding at Real Madrid.
The player is determined to convince Jose Mourinho in pre-season and earn a spot in the manager’s dynamics for the upcoming campaign.
Asencio’s agent exploring options
While word has it that Asencio is opposed to leaving Real Madrid this summer, the player’s agent Jorge Mendes is on the lookout for suitors who can match his client’s salary.
After all, Mourinho has already decided that Asencio has no place in his plans and is looking for a subtle route to make that clear to the player.
Mourinho is pushing for Real Madrid to complete the new centre-back signing at the earliest so as to create a situation where he can easily convey to Asencio that he has no place in the team.
Such a scenario, the new manager believes, will make communication more direct and honest and lead the player to be more receptive to the club’s decision.
Last season, Asencio made 18 starts and 23 appearances in La Liga owing to Militao and Rudiger’s injury woes. With new players arriving, however, it is unlikely that the upcoming season will be as kind to him in terms of minutes.
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.
