Bernardo Silva’s Real Madrid debut prompts Mourinho’s fitness assessment
Real Madrid’s new signing, Bernardo Silva, made his unofficial debut for the club in a 2-1 pre-season victory against Ferencváros in Budapest. The Portuguese midfielder joined the team on a free transfer earlier this summer after his contract with Manchester City expired. Following the match, coach José Mourinho commented on Silva’s physical condition, noting that the player is still working to regain full fitness after his summer break.
Mourinho acknowledged Silva’s quality but indicated that the midfielder needs to improve his physical strength. Silva entered the game at half-time, replacing Brahim Díaz, and played for 48 minutes. He initially operated in a deeper midfield role before Mourinho moved him into the No. 10 position during the second half.
Mourinho’s Assessment of Silva’s Debut
Speaking to Real Madrid TV after the friendly, Mourinho explained that Silva had only a few days of training and had not accumulated significant playing minutes. The coach stated that Silva’s physical condition was lower than usual due to his vacation, but he expressed confidence in the player’s abilities, describing him as a “tremendous player.”
Mourinho also clarified that shifting Silva to the No. 10 position was a tactical decision. He highlighted Silva’s versatility, noting that the player can perform well as a No. 6, No. 8, or No. 10. The coach emphasized that having a player capable of performing effectively in multiple positions is beneficial for the team.
Despite Mourinho’s assessment of his fitness, Silva expressed his happiness about joining Real Madrid, calling it an opportunity he could not decline. He stated his pride in wearing the club’s shirt and indicated his focus on achieving full match sharpness before the new season begins. Silva’s immediate goal is to build his physical rhythm in preparation for Real Madrid’s La Liga campaign, which is set to commence later this month with an away match against Espanyol.
Silva also shared his thoughts after the friendly win over Ferencváros, stating his satisfaction with his first match. He acknowledged that it was only his first week with the team and that he still had areas to improve. The midfielder stressed the importance of gaining the necessary rhythm to start the season effectively, which he described as his current focus.
Silva’s Focus on Integration and Fitness
The Portugal international conveyed his commitment to contributing to the team in various ways, whether by assisting in build-up play, pushing forward, pressing, or being active in the final third. He aims to help the team in any capacity required.
Silva also spoke about the challenges of returning from holiday and the importance of integrating with his new teammates. He mentioned that getting to know his teammates’ characteristics and understanding their preferences during matches and training sessions is crucial. He concluded by affirming his dedication to preparing thoroughly to ensure a strong start to the season.
Real Madrid has made several significant additions this summer, including Yan Diomande, Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, and Carlos Espí. Despite these arrivals, Mourinho indicated that he still desires another versatile midfielder for the squad. He expressed a preference for a compact squad of 20 players, in addition to those currently injured, such as Rodrygo, Éder Militão, and Ferland Mendy. The coach reiterated the need for a player who, like Silva, can perform effectively in multiple positions.
Reports suggest that Mourinho’s desire for an additional midfielder intensified after Rodri chose to join Barcelona instead of Real Madrid during the summer transfer window. Before the start of their league campaign, Real Madrid has upcoming pre-season fixtures against Deportivo La Coruña and Schalke 04. Mourinho’s comments on Silva’s physical condition, while highlighting areas for improvement, also underscored the reasons behind the club’s pursuit of the experienced midfielder, particularly his versatility and tactical intelligence.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
