Yan Diomande, Brahim Diaz, Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid players
Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
One of the major talking points surrounding Real Madrid in the summer was the contractual situation involving Vinicius Junior.
The Brazilian was entering the final year of his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the negotiations did not prove to be straightforward.
Eventually, Los Blancos accepted more than they initially offered to get Vinicius to put pen to paper on a new contract with Madrid.
However, the club’s decision to invest heavily in Yan Diomande could eventually have consequences for Vinicius Junior, particularly if the Brazilian continues to struggle to rediscover his best form.
Diomande changes the equation
According to Defensa Central, the arrival of Diomande has created a potential scenario in which Madrid could become more receptive to a future Vinicius departure.
The club are not actively looking to sell him at the moment, but Madrid’s attacking riches mean no player is untouchable.
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid player
Vinicius Jr. is having a difficult time at Real Madrid. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Diomande’s emergence matters because he can operate from the left, the area Vinicius has made his own at the Bernabeu.
The 19-year-old has already shown enough to demand more opportunities, while Arda Guler has also strengthened his claim for a significant attacking role.
Vinicius, meanwhile, has endured a difficult start to the season. Mourinho has publicly supported him and maintained that rediscovering his best football is a matter of time.
However, there is only so long that Mourinho can keep faith in the Brazilian if the performances do not back it up.
A major offer could change Madrid’s position
Vinicius’ recent renewal makes an immediate departure unlikely. A sufficiently large offer, however, could potentially force Madrid to consider their options.
Much would depend on the Brazilian himself. If Vinicius rediscovers the intensity and decisive quality that helped Madrid win major trophies, there is little reason to push him out.
Yan Diomande of Real Madrid
Diomande is emerging as a real option for Real Madrid. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
However, if his difficulties continue while Diomande develops rapidly, the conversation inevitably becomes different.
For years, Vinicius’ importance to Madrid made his position virtually unquestionable. The squad Mourinho now possesses means that status can no longer be taken entirely for granted.
Diomande is young, explosive and already pushing for minutes. Madrid also have other attacking pieces capable of assuming greater responsibility.
An exit for Vinicius would not come as a total surprise if things do not improve, and it remains to be seen how things pan out.
Former player takes a dig at new Real Madrid signing over Spain performance – “Not performing for the club”
Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid and Spain player
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Real Madrid spent significant money to reinforce the squad in the summer, bringing in close to seven new players.
Among them was Marc Cucurella, the Spain left-back who had enjoyed an excellent World Cup after a solid couple of seasons with Chelsea.
However, Cucurella has endured a mixed start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu. His contrasting performances for Real Madrid and Spain have attracted attention.
Former Spain international Salva Ballesta has pointed to the dramatic improvement he sees whenever the defender joins the national team.
Cucurella looks different with Spain
As quoted by Defensa Central, Ballesta said that the left-back has not reached the same level at Madrid that he consistently produces for Spain.
“There are players who aren’t performing at the same level at their clubs, but they join the national team and triple their level, like Cucurella,” Ballesta said.
Cucurella only arrived at the Bernabeu this summer and has been adapting to Mourinho’s system.
Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid player
Marc Cucurella is just settling into life at Real Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Spain provide a far more familiar environment. Their positional structure and emphasis on controlled possession allow Cucurella to operate differently.
Madrid, by comparison, have frequently played at greater speed. Their attacking players want to break quickly, which can leave the full-backs covering considerably more space when possession is lost.
Cucurella himself has acknowledged those stylistic differences and stressed that Madrid are still building the foundations of Mourinho’s project.
Madrid must find his Spain level
If Cucurella can consistently perform at an elite level for Spain, the question is not whether the quality exists.
Madrid’s challenge is finding the conditions that allow him to reproduce it at club level and ensuring that the threefold difference is not visible.
Mourinho does not need to copy Spain’s system, but greater balance around Cucurella could help.
Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid player
It is way too early to pass a judgement on Marc Cucurella. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
His aggression and energy are most effective when he can step forward confidently without constantly worrying about huge spaces appearing behind him.
Having someone like Vinicius Junior ahead of him also does not help the Spaniard. The Brazilian is not the most defensively inclined, and this often leaves Cucurella to deal with situations on his own.
It is still early days for Mourinho’s project at Madrid, and there is no doubting Cucurella’s innate quality.
As the players settle in and the system begins to take shape, do not be surprised to see the Spaniard become one of Mourinho’s most important players in the coming months.