**Real Madrid’s Mourinho ‘Happy’ with Transfers Despite Rodri Miss**
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho expressed satisfaction with his current squad following the summer transfer window, despite the club's failure to secure midfielder Rodri, who ultimately joined rivals Barcelona. Mourinho, who is in his second tenure with the club, emphasized that he considers his squad complete after a significant revamp that saw the arrival of six new players.
Among the notable signings for Real Madrid this summer are record acquisition Yan Diomande, along with Bernardo Silva and Marc Cucurella. These additions are expected to bolster the team's performance as they aim for success in both domestic and European competitions.
While the club's pursuit of Rodri fell through, Mourinho remains optimistic about the midfield options available to him. "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,'" he stated in a press conference. He reiterated that he has not requested any additional players and is content with the current roster.
Real Madrid has faced challenges in midfield, particularly with the impending departures of veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the coming years. The team has struggled to maintain control in matches, a concern that Mourinho is keenly aware of. In their La Liga opener against Espanyol, which ended in a narrow 2-1 victory, Mourinho opted for a midfield pairing of Silva and Federico Valverde, indicating his trust in their abilities to navigate the midfield.
Looking ahead to the upcoming match against Real Sociedad, Mourinho noted that French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni would not be available due to fitness concerns. "He’s got a problem; the holiday time wasn’t enough for him to recover," Mourinho explained. He emphasized the importance of starting the season at full fitness, stating, "you can’t start a season in suffering."
Mourinho also expressed confidence in Valverde's capabilities as a central midfielder, despite the player's previous use in various positions, including right-back and right winger. "For me, he is a player for the centre of the pitch," Mourinho affirmed, highlighting the evolving nature of player roles in modern football. He pointed out that during matches, the rigid definitions of player positions often become less relevant, allowing for more fluidity in tactics.
As Real Madrid prepares for the challenges ahead, Mourinho's focus will be on maximizing the potential of his current squad while remaining open to any last-minute opportunities in the transfer market. With a mix of seasoned players and new talent, the club aims to reclaim its status at the top of Spanish and European football.