Carlos Espi, Real Madrid player
Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images
Carlos Espi arrived at Real Madrid with far less attention than most of the club’s summer signings.
In fact, his move came as something of a surprise, especially after Los Blancos had decided to sell academy striker Gonzalo Garcia to Fulham.
But a few weeks into Jose Mourinho’s pre-season, the former Levante forward has already given Real Madrid plenty to think about, reports AS.
Espi finished the summer preparations as the team’s top scorer, finding the net twice in four appearances despite not starting a single game.
For a player brought in without major expectations, it has been an impressive introduction to life at Valdebebas.
Mourinho’s search for a new No. 9 led Real Madrid to Espi
Accoridng to the outlet, the No. 9 position was one of the areas Mourinho examined closely after taking charge of Real Madrid.
Carlos Espi, Real Madrid player
Carlos Espi scored two goals in pre-season. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Gonzalo Garcia was initially not expected to leave, with Mourinho blocking his departure. However, Fulham’s financial proposal eventually changed the situation.
There was also a question of profile.
Gonzalo did not fully match what Mourinho wanted from a supporting striker, while Real Madrid saw Espi as a player capable of filling a different role.
Simply put, the comparison points towards the type of impact Joselu once provided: physical, a willingness to work for the team and the ability to make a difference without requiring many touches or chances.
Espi’s pre-season numbers support that idea.
Across 153 minutes in four matches, all as a substitute, the striker attempted just five shots. Four of them were on target, and two found the net.
Carlos Espi, Real Madrid player
Carlos Espi’s profile is compared to Joselu. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
He will therefore begin the La Liga season as Real Madrid’s top scorer from pre-season.
Two goals and a growing role at Valdebebas
Espi’s impact has not been limited to the scoreline, as the 21-year-old is settling well into his new surroundings and is already becoming a popular figure within the squad.
According to AS, Joan Martinez has played a role in helping him adapt to the dressing room through a personal connection, while the striker has also begun building an understanding with some of the other new arrivals.
One such connection was visible against Schalke, where Marc Cucurella delivered the cross, and Espi attacked it to score with his head.
Despite his antics, it is crucial to note that this does not mean Espi will suddenly become a regular starter.
He knows minutes will be difficult to come by at Real Madrid and that he will have to make the most of every opportunity. But he has made sure the manager knows what he is capable of.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images
Of all the aspects of Real Madrid’s performances in recent years, it is the physical preparation and fitness department that they have clearly finished behind most opponents.
While rigorous training and fitness schedules have usually been the norm at the Spanish capital, matters took a turn for the worse in recent years – particularly over the past two seasons.
Weak managers, dressing room egos and administrative instability all contributed to the team’s decline in physical preparation, but Jose Mourinho has made it his goal to turn that situation around swiftly.
Back to ruthless sessions
As relayed by Guillermo Rai of The Athletic (h/t RM4Arab) in a recent report, sources close to the technical staff relay that the first weeks of Mourinho’s second stint at Real Madrid have been difficult to this point. There has been a lot of emphasis towards double training sessions.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Mourinho is restoring normalcy. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
The change from a lackadaisical, low-intensity session to two high-intensity sessions in a day has made it difficult for players to adjust and is demanding a lot of them physically.
In fact, the Spanish outlet also confirms that members of the technical staff explain that this very change is why players have looked slightly fatigued in pre-season games.
Mourinho has full control
It is not only the training department at Real Madrid, but in fact the entire project that has been confidently handed over to Mourinho’s hands at this point.
Every new signing arrives only after the Portuguese manager has given his green light, and he has the final say in any transfer decision. Similarly, every departure must be sanctioned by him.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Florentino Perez trusts Mourinho completely. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
He has also been handed full authority of planning training sessions, recovery sessions, setting rules and complete tactical freedom with respect to the on-field performance.
The entire Real Madrid project, thus, is under Mourinho’s control at this point in time and fitness will remain an area of focus throughout the season.
One can hope to see fewer injuries in the squad and more energy on the field as a result of the same, although it will take some time before tangible results can be appreciated. Only time will tell if his approach improves the physical output or demands too much off his players