Real Madrid boss Mourinho 'very happy' with squad despite Rodri transfer miss

[p]Los Blancos revamped their squad this summer, signing six players including record arrival [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/diomande-yan/0p2ORrJi/"]Yan Diomande[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/silva-bernardo/lUg03qcR/"]Bernardo Silva[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/cucurella-marc/QTynbZd3/"]Marc Cucurella[/a].[/p][p]However, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-madrid/W8mj7MDD/"]Madrid[/a]'s approach for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rodri/K0G8DB00/"]Rodri[/a] broke down, meaning beyond former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]Manchester City[/a] playmaker Silva, they have not strengthened in midfield.[/p][p][b]"For me the squad is closed, but the market is still open - you never know if a player will come and say, 'I've been benched twice and I want to leave',"[/b] Mourinho told reporters.[/p][p][b]"In theory no (more deals)... but something could always happen... In my head the squad is closed, and I have not asked for anyone. I am very happy with the players I have."[/b][/p][embed guid="bf06d674-fe90-4026-9058-424c1ac1c98b" url="https://x.com/realmadriden/status/2091287295743963633?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]With midfield maestros [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/modric-luka/bZWyoJnA/"]Luka Modric[/a] and Toni Kroos departing in 2024 and 2025, Madrid have struggled to control matches.[/p][p]Mourinho's side snatched a late [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/espanyol-QFfPdh1J/real-madrid-W8mj7MDD/?mid=l8fgco7b"]2-1 win[/a] at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/espanyol/QFfPdh1J/"]Espanyol[/a] on Saturday in their LaLiga opener, starting with Silva and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/valverde-federico/nscfER6B/"]Federico Valverde[/a] together in midfield.[/p][p]Mourinho said French defensive midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/tchouameni-aurelien/QkiZum3e/"]Aurelien Tchouameni[/a] was not ready to play against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-sociedad/jNvak2f3/"]Real Sociedad[/a] on Wednesday.[/p][p]"He's got a problem, the holiday time wasn't enough (for him to recover), seeing the games approaching the player wanted to try... but we've decided that you can't start a season in suffering," explained the coach.[/p][p][b]"You can finish a season suffering, the last couple of months, but you can't start in August not at 100%.[/b][/p][p][b]"So we decided with him, the staff, the medical department, to get him to return at 100%."[/b][/p][embed guid="6f78a8a5-832e-42c2-99fa-b6475806b371" url="https://x.com/realmadriden/status/2091281042418110697?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Mourinho said he had faith in Uruguay international Valverde as a midfielder, despite previous coaches using him in a variety of different roles, including right-back and right winger.[/p][p][b]"For me he is a player for the centre of the pitch,"[/b] added Mourinho.[/p][p][b]"Depending on the opponent and our objectives, he might be more set in his position or more mobile."[/b][/p][p]Mourinho said that in modern football, players' positions were less relevant.[/p][p][b]"I don't want to identify Tchouameni as the No. 6, (Eduardo) Camavinga No. 6, Fede No. 8, Bernardo No. 10... things dilute during games."[/b][/p][infobox id="14dacc89-3234-4d6e-b854-e74d05c9dce3" /]