Mourinho wants to make three more cuts to the Real Madrid squad – report | OneFootball

While the summer transfer window remains open, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is broadly satisfied with the squad at his disposal, although he still wants to trim it, reports AS.

He made his preference clear after the match in Budapest.

“I want a short squad, 20 players plus those who are currently injured.”

At present, and following the decision to keep Thiago Pitarch with the first team, Mourinho has 26 players available to him. Three are long-term absentees: Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo.

That leaves the manager with three players too many if he is to reach his preferred squad size.

€225 million spent on Mourinho’s squad

Real Madrid have made a significant financial effort to give Mourinho the reinforcements he wanted.

The club has spent €225 million on six players: Yan Diomande, Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva and Carlos Espi.

The final piece was supposed to be Rodri, but the Manchester City midfielder rejected Madrid in favour of Barcelona. For now, the Meregues are not expected to return to the market for another midfielder.

Mourinho looking to trim his squad. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)

There is, however, a possibility that another centre-back could arrive if Raul Asencio receives a good offer and agrees to leave. For the moment, the academy graduate insists he wants to stay.

Mourinho wants versatility, not a bloated squad

Part of the reason Mourinho believes he can work with a smaller group is the versatility of several of his players.

Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva can operate in multiple positions across the attack and even in midfield. Jude Bellingham offers similar flexibility, while Mourinho has also experimented with Dumfries in an advanced role.

The manager wants to avoid having players with virtually no prospect of regular minutes.

Too many frustrated squad members can affect the atmosphere at the training ground, and Mourinho is determined to prevent that.

Camavinga remains on the radar

As such, Real Madrid would still like to generate income from Eduardo Camavinga, although no significant offer has arrived for the French midfielder this summer.

Camavinga has indicated that he would like to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu, but a proposal from a top-level club could change the situation.

Mendy’s future remains complicated

Endrick was another player whose future had been uncertain, but Mourinho has ultimately blocked a proposed loan move and wants the Brazilian to stay.

Mendy does not wish to leave. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

That has shifted attention toward Mendy. The left-back position is effectively overcrowded, while Mourinho has limited confidence that he can rely on Mendy because of his extensive injury history.

Real Madrid would like to resolve his situation, but Mendy has no intention of leaving.

Asencio’s injury makes a sale harder

The other player Real Madrid are monitoring for potential offers is Asencio.

The academy graduate believes he can convince Mourinho that he belongs in the manager’s project and had been working hard during pre-season to do exactly that.

His plans have now been disrupted by a rectus femoris muscle injury that is expected to keep him out for around six weeks. That injury makes it even more difficult for potential buyers to make an offer.

As things stand, there is some excess in some areas and Real Madrid would welcome the opportunity to further streamline the squad. But there is also a very real possibility that none of them will go.