Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Jose Mourinho has always been an excellent man-manager, and a personality like his is needed to manage a dressing room like Real Madrid’s.
He has now held a direct conversation with Kylian Mbappe following the recent controversy surrounding the Los Blancos talisman.
According to journalist Pipi Estrada on El Chiringuito TV, Mourinho spoke with Mbappe during breakfast on Tuesday.
The conversation comes amid increased scrutiny around the forward following questions raised externally.
Mourinho delivers clear message to Mbappe
Estrada claims Mourinho told the forward: “Outside I will defend you, here I won’t.”
It is a short message, but one that fits perfectly with the type of dressing-room management Mourinho has always demanded.
Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid
Mourinho has always been a master at managing dressing rooms. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Publicly, the Madrid coach is prepared to protect his player from outside criticism. Internally, however, that protection does not mean Mbappe will be spared criticism or accountability.
While there is no confirmation of what prompted Mourinho to deliver such a message, it could not have been clearer for Mbappe.
Mbappe controversy has grown
Mbappe has been at the centre of considerable discussion in recent days.
There have been claims questioning his commitment and priorities, while Josep Pedrerol recently suggested that the Frenchman was “losing the affection of Madridismo.”
However, Los Blancos’ position is said to be different. There is said to be no unhappiness with Mbappe either at club level or inside the dressing room.
His absence from Valdebebas and his travel to Paris were also said to have been authorised, with the club in the loop.
A relationship worth watching
The more interesting question now is what Mourinho can get out of Mbappe over the coming months.
Mbappe has already reached extraordinary individual levels, but the Portuguese tactician has never been a coach interested only in numbers.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid
Mbappe will have to pull his socks up under Mourinho. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
He will want the Frenchman influencing matches even when he is not scoring, setting the tone without the ball and becoming a reference point for the rest of the team.
Mourinho has previously shown that he is willing to challenge superstar players rather than simply accommodate them.
Mbappe, meanwhile, is at a stage of his career where individual brilliance alone will not define his legacy at the Bernabeu. He desperately needs trophies to support those numbers.
If Mourinho’s demands push Mbappe towards another level of leadership and responsibility, this uncomfortable spell could prove beneficial in the longer run.
The real test will arrive once Madrid start playing difficult matches, and it remains to be seen how Mbappe fares in those games under Mourinho.
Real Madrid summer signing’s international break ends with just eight minutes on the pitch – worrying signs?
Bernardo Silva, Real Madrid player
Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images
Bernardo Silva is heading back to Real Madrid with his role at both club and international level under growing scrutiny.
The Portuguese midfielder has endured a difficult start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu, and his reduced involvement with Portugal during the recent international break has only added to the uncertainty surrounding his current status.
As such, Portugal coach Jorge Jesus’ first international squad has not offered Silva the prominent role he would have expected, with Silva having played only eight minutes.
While it is indeed troubling, there is some silver lining as the Real Madrid midfielder will return relatively fresh and could be in contention to start against Villarreal.
Bernardo Silva’s Real Madrid role has changed
Silva has struggled for consistent minutes since joining Real Madrid.
Bernardo Silva, Portugal and Real Madrid player
Bernardo Silva barely played for Portugal during the international break. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Statistically, across the club’s first eight matches of the season, the former Manchester City star has accumulated just 282 minutes.
Only three of his six appearances have come as starts, which explains how sharply his importance has fallen compared with what would normally be expected from a player of his profile.
That lack of rhythm has now extended to the international stage, as Silva featured against Norway during Portugal’s recent fixtures but was limited to just three minutes and another five minutes in Lisbon, where Portugal secured a 2-1 victory.
Portugal also reduce Bernardo Silva’s involvement
Silva’s eight minutes across four matches is an unusually small contribution for a player who has been an established member of Portugal’s squad for years.
Jorge Jesus’ arrival has brought changes to the national team, and Silva has been among those whose involvement has declined.
Bernardo Silva, Real Madrid player
Bernardo Silva has played less than 290 minutes for Real Madrid this season. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sudden departure from the Portugal camp has dominated the headlines, but the Real Madrid midfielder’s reduced role is another notable development from the new manager’s opening decisions.
Could Bernardo Silva start for Real Madrid against Villarreal?
Fortunately, these developments could work in Mourinho’s favour when club football resumes.
While Silva needs regular football to rebuild his rhythm, he will at least return without the additional physical demands of playing extended minutes for Portugal.
With Real Madrid preparing for Villarreal, Mourinho could see an opportunity to bring the midfielder back into his starting XI, giving Silva a chance to respond after an unusually quiet start to the season.