Mourinho talks Vinicius, Espi, Mbappe, Tchouameni, Endrick ahead of Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad | OneFootball

Real Madrid are already gearing up for their second official game of the season, and what will be their first home game of the new season.

A lot has changed since Real Madrid last took to the field at the Santiago Bernabeu, from the management to the dressing room.

After a scare in their first match of the season against Espanyol, Real Madrid will now face Real Sociedad in their match day 1 clash which was postponed owing to the late return of some of Real Madrid’s stars.

Mourinho addresses the media

Speaking to the media ahead of Real Madrid’s rescheduled Matchday 1 game against Real Sociedad, Jose Mourinho was asked about a plethora of topics including the recent result, scope for improvement and rotations.

He was first asked about how he was progressing with transmitting his ideas to the team, and he admitted that it was as good as starting from scratch.

“We start from scratch, although it is not from scratch, people already have feelings. There is a willingness to do things right and to support the team.”

He was then quizzed on managing the workload of stars, especially those who have had a hectic World Cup shift.

“You have to do this management well between playing nothing and playing a lot, for example Cucurella. I gave him 30 minutes.”

“My vision is mixed with data and with what the players tell me, the knowledge that each one has of himself,” he added.

On Vinicius Jr.

There has been a lot of discourse on Vinicius Jr. and the insults the player is constantly fed with and the on-field decisions continually going against him in recent days.

Mourinho added to the same topic by elaborating on what can change.

Mourinho fully backs Vinicius. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

“The reaction of the normal public can be controlled. Vinicius’ relationship with the rival stand can improve. But the kicks, insults, and aggressions are due to the referee.”

“Justice must be given. It is the referee who has to protect the players and the game. You can work on your relationship with your adversaries,” he added.

The manager then praised Vinicius Jr. for his quality and ability to step up in big situations and elaborated on how his on-field treatment was unfair.

“Last season I saw every match of Madrid and Barcelona. But what I have seen now, in preseason, it is obvious that there is a difference between Vinicius and other players.”

“A dynamic has been entered, the opponents know they can. If they foul Vini, the yellow card arrives after making 10 fouls. It’s a treatment I don’t like,” he added.

He then recounted his approach to Vinicius when he was managing Benfica last season and how matters had changed now in terms of his perspective.

“When I was Benfica coach, I was only interested in Benfica. Vini may have more control, but if it’s a kick and aggression, it’s expulsion.”

“After seeing the last game, I really liked the refereeing. I trust the Spanish refereeing. I always trust the referee. After the game sometimes there are things I don’t like,” he added.

“Yes Negreira, yes friends, I’m not there. I’m totally with the referees,” Mourinho slyly added.

On his personality and decisions

The Real Madrid manager then spoke out on how he has become a calmer and more reserved person over the years – something that is evident on the field.

“I have been feeling calmer for years, with more control of my emotions. But it’s not something new. Now I face difficult situations or frustrations, because we have not yet lost.”

“I don’t like laziness, I like people who work for Real Madrid. So far I haven’t seen laziness, everyone gives everything. And everyone protects me from my dark side. I feel good like this,” he added.

The manager was then asked about how it was to be managing perhaps the best trident in world football.

“The most complicated thing is when you don’t have top-level players. That has happened to me in other teams. Not here. I want all three of them (Mbappé, Bellingham, Vinicius) and I am here to make decisions.”

Speaking on how he was looking forward to his return to the Santiago Bernabeu, he said,

“I don’t want the Bernabeu to receive me in a particular way, I want it to receive the team as its team, with its passion.”

Finally, he addressed the transfer market and whether he saw it as closed as far as his dynamics go.

“It’s still open, you never know what you can go through. At the moment everything is closed, but the president or José Ángel can call me to tell me that there is an offer for one. For me, the market is closed. I would like to stay with this squad this season.”

Mourinho returns to the Santiago Bernabeu. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Discussing the squad

The next phase of Mourinho’s press conference revolved around specific players, and he was first asked about Federico Valverde’s best position on the field.

“I don’t like it when they make him play on the right back. It has happened to him in the past. For me, he is a midfield player. He can be more positional, or more mobile.”

“Teams must have solutions. A full-back is a full-back, but today he can be a winger. Or like Trent, who can play inside,” he added on how makeshift solutions must be temporary.

When asked if Carlos Espi and Kylian Mbappe can coexist and play together, the manager said,

“We can see them together, or with Endrick. Carlos has a different profile, it was perfect for how the game against Espanyol was. I thought Carlos could be important at that time to suffocate the rival.”

He then addressed the topic of Aurelien Tchouameni’s fragile fitness and how the player is paying for his commitment at the FIFA World Cup.

“He has suffered a lot in the World Cup. He risked everything. He played in the semifinals with everything.”

“He has a setback, the player is ready to play and could have continued, but we believe he should start the season at 100%. We have decided with him and the staff to wait, so that he returns a week or two later, but 100%,” he added.

He also gave his two cents on Endrick and what he made of the youngster’s current injury.

“There is a specific problem next to the tendon, but it is more of a precaution. He’s a player I like so much.”

“He has had so many, so many offers from clubs. I didn’t want to give in. I’m sure he’s going to get to Carlo Ancelotti’s first call. He will call me directly,” he added.

Source: AS