Real Madrid youngster targets key role under Jose Mourinho with impressive pre-season push | OneFootball

Lamini Fati has entered pre-season with a clear objective: convince Jose Mourinho that he should be the first academy defender called upon whenever Real Madrid need defensive cover during the season.

According to AS, the 20-year-old centre-back is using the summer preparations to strengthen his position within the club’s plans after earning his first taste of senior football with Castilla last season. 

With several first-team players still unavailable following the FIFA World Cup, Mourinho has opened the door for several academy prospects to train alongside the senior squad.

In that regard, Lamini Fati knows breaking into one of Europe’s strongest squads will not be easy, but the coming weeks offer him the perfect platform to show he is ready for the next step.

Mourinho gives Lamini Fati chance to impress

As Real Madrid continue their pre-season preparations, Mourinho has included 16 academy players in his first training group while waiting for the return of his World Cup internationals.

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Among them is Lamini Fati, who arrives with growing confidence after making 32 appearances for Castilla during his first full campaign with the reserve side. 

Within the club, the aim is not necessarily to fast-track him into the starting XI but to determine whether he can become a dependable option whenever injuries or suspensions leave Mourinho short of central defenders.

That role could prove valuable over the course of a demanding season, especially as Real Madrid balance domestic and European commitments.

Battle with Joan Martinez

Notably, Lamini Fati is not the only young defender hoping to catch Mourinho’s attention.

The report explains that Joan Martinez is also viewed as a strong candidate to step up from Castilla if the first team require reinforcements. 

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Both centre-backs are highly regarded within the club, but the coaching staff is expected to establish a clear pecking order before the competitive campaign begins.

The first major opportunity arrives on July 28, when Real Madrid face Leganes in a behind-closed-doors friendly. 

The match is expected to give Mourinho a closer look at all 16 academy players involved in pre-season, with performances likely to influence who remains involved as preparations continue.

For Fati, producing a commanding display against higher-level opposition could significantly strengthen his chances of earning further minutes in the remaining friendlies and staying close to the first-team environment.