Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Real Madrid’s summer transfer window was focused primarily on the defence and Jose Mourinho spent big to bring in the profiles he deemed right for his dynamics.
They roped in Denzel Dumfries at right-back, Marc Cucurella at left-back and Ibrahima Konate at centre-back, thereby bringing in three new starting quality names to the team’s dressing room.
Needless to say, it became instantly clear that the defence was what Mourinho saw as Real Madrid’s biggest weakness, and that it was his priority to improve the defensive record.
Concern with the defence
As reported by Defensa Central now, Mourinho acknowledges that the defence continues to be one of the team’s biggest weaknesses after the first phase of the season. In fact, he considers the fragility at the back to be the primary factor keeping the team away from trophies.
Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid player
Real Madrid’s new signings have not had the intended impact yet. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The manager is very unhappy that Los Blancos have conceded in seven of their last eight games and sees it as impossible to challenge for either La Liga or the UEFA Champions League with such a poor record.
In that sense, Mourinho has been working closely with his staff to find ways to cover the team’s gaping holes and hopes for an improvement after the international break.
Mourinho’s plan for improvement
Real Madrid have only managed to keep one clean sheet so far, and that came against Malaga in La Liga. That, combined with the fact that their attacking output has been subpar, makes the side weaker than they have been in recent years.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Mourinho has a plan in mind. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
As clarified by the Spanish outlet, Mourinho has a clear plan in mind to improve the team’s defensive numbers and that is for the central defenders to push up.
He wants his side to close the gaps between lines and press relentlessly to pressurise opposition forwards. The idea is that such a change will enable them to win more balls in the opposition half.
Further, it will allow for more lethal counter-attacks and transitional play – something that is crucial in terms of the attacking profiles Real Madrid possess.
It remains to be seen how effectively the coach can put his idea into practice starting this weekend.
Manchester United talent demanding seven-figure salary from potential suitors including Real Madrid
JJ Gabriel of Manchester United
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Manchester United’s teenage talent JJ Gabriel has been on Real Madrid’s radar for a long time now, and the idea of his signing has raised several bureaucratic doubts given his age.
Having turned 16 this week, Gabriel is now officially free to sign a professional contract with any European club and is exploring all the options at his doorstep.
The line of suitors, as matters stand, is surprisingly long with Real Madrid being joined by Barcelona, Bayern Munich and even Paris Saint-Germain.
As reported by SPORT in a recent update, the salary Gabriel and his environment command is slowly becoming the single most crippling hurdle of the transfer saga for all clubs involved.
JJ Gabriel of Manchester United
The teenager is demanding an atrocious salary. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Still just 16 and untested at the highest level, the youngster is reportedly demanding a salary of seven figures from his potential suitors.
€1 million is the baseline salary he will accept, and it is almost impossible for a club to be willing to hand out such wages to a 16-year-old star.
Real Madrid continue to monitor the player’s situation and are in the race, but they are nowhere close to being a frontrunner.
While the salary issue is one deterrent, Real Madrid are also wary of the bureaucratic issues it could bring with it.
Who is leading the race
JJ Gabriel of Manchester United
Real Madrid continue to monitor his situation. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
As confirmed in the same report, Bayern Munich have taken an important step forward in Gabriel’s pursuit in recent days and have even met with his representatives. They are one of the frontrunners, but the seven-figure salary is a stretch even for them.
Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen were both in the race as well, but are now firmly out after the latest update.
Barcelona and Real Madrid, for their part, continue to hold a keen interest in the player and are monitoring his situation carefully.
Notably, even Manchester United are making efforts to keep the player and are willing to go as far as filing a case if he joins any European club.
The player is yet to make a decision, and could well be forced to lower his wage demands if he indeed desires an immediate transfer.