Mourinho confident Mbappe, Vinicius, Bellingham can play together

New Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho expressed confidence that his star-studded attacking trio of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham can coexist and thrive on the field.

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Incredible players want to play with incredible players.

Mourinho acknowledged the tactical complexities that previous coaches Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, and Alvaro Arbeloa faced in balancing their lineups with these high-caliber forwards. While Ancelotti found success with Vinicius and Bellingham, the arrival of Mbappe has presented a new challenge for Real Madrid, which has not secured a major trophy since his signing.

"Incredible players want to play with incredible players," Mourinho told reporters, addressing the potential for friction. He recognized that while national team coaches have found specific tactical setups for each player, integrating all three at Madrid requires a tailored approach. "We're on it. I want the three, when all three play, to feel comfortable on the pitch... they are three players of great quality. They don’t play in incompatible positions. We will have a great season with them."

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Tactically, it could be tricky. Ancelotti has found a set-up with Brazil perfect for Vini, (Didier) Deschamps has found one with France perfect for Kylian, (Thomas) Tuchel one perfect for Jude, it’s harder for Mourinho to do it for the three of them.

However, Mourinho emphasized that offensive talent alone is insufficient. He stressed the necessity of collective defensive effort, stating, "We have to defend with 11 players." He also prepared his squad for potential disappointment, warning that not all stars can start every game. "I hope each game is difficult for me, because they keep working in the way they are working," he said, anticipating that players might face frustration when benched. He aims for "hard decisions" based on performance, not individual status.

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We’re on it. I want the three, when all three play, to feel comfortable on the pitch… they are three players of great quality. They don’t play in incompatible positions. We will have a great season with them.

Mourinho also touched upon past dressing room issues, referencing a reported squabble between Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde. He indicated a fresh start for the squad, aiming to foster peace and unity as they pursue success in the upcoming season.

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We have to defend with 11 players.