Real Madrid defender fighting for Mourinho’s trust and wants to honour club legend | OneFootball

Raul Asencio’s future at Real Madrid may still be a one of the big talking points, but the defender has no intention of giving up on his place in the squad.

According to AS, the Real Madrid academy graduate is determined to convince Jose Mourinho that he deserves to remain part of the new project. 

Regardless of what is said in the media recently, the outlet assures that his approach since returning from his summer break has impressed the coaching staff, while his recovery from the muscle injury has moved faster than initially expected.

Right now, there is still uncertainty surrounding Asencio’s fitness and his longer-term future, particularly with a lingering tibial problem and increased competition following Ibrahima Konate’s arrival. 

Asencio impresses Mourinho

Asencio has already experienced plenty of change despite being at an early stage of his senior career.

The defender made his Real Madrid debut under Carlo Ancelotti and later worked under Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa before Mourinho took charge. 

Every managerial change brought a fresh challenge, and the Portuguese coach’s arrival was no different.

Raul Asencio is not ready to give up yet. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

With Real Madrid strengthening their defence, there had been suggestions that Asencio could become one of the players considered for a departure. 

Konate’s arrival increased the competition at centre-back, but the Spanish defender responded in the best possible way.

From the moment he returned from his holidays, his focus was on earning Mourinho’s trust.

AS reports that the coaching staff was impressed by his discipline and commitment in training. 

That effort, however, also came at a cost, as a muscle injury ruled him out of the final four pre-season matches and Real Madrid’s La Liga opener against Espanyol.

Asencio has since worked intensely with the club’s physiotherapists and rehabilitation staff, reportedly bringing his expected recovery forward by a week.

The defender participated in part of Monday’s training session at Valdebebas and could be fully integrated with the group by Thursday. 

Raul Asencio requested Dani Carvajal’s #2 shirt after the icon’s departure. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

If everything continues to progress as planned, we could see him available for next Sunday’s league match against Malaga.

Asencio requested Carvajal’s No. 2

One of the more interesting details surrounding Asencio’s tenure at Real Madrid concerns his choice of shirt number.

According to the report, the defender requested Dani Carvajal’s iconic No. 2 shirt as a tribute to one of his biggest role models and another product of the Real Madrid academy.

Carvajal’s journey from the youth ranks to becoming a major figure at Real Madrid is one that Asencio has admired, having followed a similar route through the club’s academy

Hence, wearing the No. 2 would be a personal way of honouring that connection.

Furthermore, it also fits Asencio’s versatility. Although primarily a centre-back, he has previously played at right-back for Real Madrid. 

That flexibility could become valuable to Mourinho, although it is unlikely that the manager would use him here, especially now that the club has two specialist right-backs.