Eder Militao of Real Madrid
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Jose Mourinho deployed Dean Huijsen and Ibrahima Konate as his centre-backs in his first official game back at the club, and the manager has only three points to count on in the department as matters stand.
While the Spaniard is expected to be an assured starter, Konate and Rudiger will fight it out for the second starting spot in defence as reported earlier today.
As conveyed by the same report, however, matters will change once the ‘injured players’ begin to return to the dynamics, and it is clear that the player in question is Eder Militao.
Date set for his return
As reported by AS (h/t The Madrid Zone) now, the date has finally been set for Militao’s return from injury and the player can finally begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Eder Militao of Real Madrid
Finally set to return. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
His recovery has been progressing well in recent weeks and the player has even been doing some individual work on the grass. Should. His recovery continues at the same pace, he is expected to be back after the international break.
The next international break will be the first one after the FIFA World Cup and is expected to run from the end of September to the first week of October. In that sense, Militao is expected to be back by mid-October at the latest.
When Militao arrived at Real Madrid and grew into the starting dynamics, it was clear that the player was special and would be central to the team’s long-term plans.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Mourinho will count heavily on the player. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
His development went exactly as expected and the player grew into a leader at the back for Los Blancos. Injuries, however, have severely affected him in recent seasons.
Having already suffered two cruciate ligament ruptures in two seasons, Militao faced another massive muscular setback towards the end of last season which required him to undergo surgery.
Now, he is close to returning and it will be crucial that he is phased in gradually. After all, he is a key pillar in Real Madrid’s defence and Mourinho would like to count on him as a starter when he is back to his 100%.
The sporting and cultural changes Jose Mourinho wants to bring to Real Madrid – report
Jose MOurinho, Real Madrid manager
Jose MOurinho, Real Madrid manager
Jose Mourinho was selected as Real Madrid’s latest manager after the administration were forced to change two managers in a single season to deal with the internal turmoil.
His appointment, in that sense, is not only to improve the team’s sporting results and bring titles but also to improve the culture inside the dressing room.
After all, Florentino Perez saw Mourinho as an experienced, respected option who has been a serial winner throughout his career – thereby placing him as a candidate who can earn respect from the big names in the dressing room.
Mourinho has a clear plan
As far as bringing an identity to the team goes, Mourinho is aware that the task is difficult. The first official game the team played earlier this week, in fact, proved that there is a lot to work on.
Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius of Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s attack is made for transition football. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
As reported by AS in a recent update, one of the most important facets of the game Mourinho wishes to improve in his side is the transitions.
He wants the team to master transition attacking and knows that it is an objective that will take time. Yet, it remains a key objective for him.
While the team improves, he also understands that there is no scope for an ‘adaptation period’ at Real Madrid and has thus sent out a strong message.
“While the team is being built, we have to win at all costs.”
The Spanish outlet further reveals Mourinho’s plans beyond the sporting sense and what culture shift he intends to bring to Real Madrid.
Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid
Looking to inspire a culture shift. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho is demanding intensity and competitiveness from his men, for starters. He wants the squad to be hungry for titles, especially given how they have gone trophy-less in back-to-back seasons.
Further, he intends for his team to be convincing and winning games and not just scraping through or imposing themselves. He dreams of an internal culture of discipline, order and solidarity where the team is placed ahead of any individual.
For such changes to be implemented, however, will take months and it is clear that the manager is dreaming of changes that could create internal riots. If there is any manager who can bring such a shift, however, it is him.