Mourinho sets high Arda Guler target and challenges Vinicius to find ‘another level’

Jose Mourinho says he wants Real Madrid to improve significantly over the next three months, while praising Arda Guler as “the best” and calling for Vinicius Junior to become more decisive in front of goal.

Mourinho was speaking at his pre-match press conference before Tuesday evening’s Spanish league fixture against Elche at the Martinez Valero, where he also discussed Aurelien Tchouameni’s return, his approach to pressing and the management of players’ minutes.

Asked what he wanted from the match, Mourinho kept his answer simple.

“I want to win. I want to play well and win, nothing more than that,” he said.

Mourinho praises Guler and demands more from Vinicius

The Portuguese manager was particularly enthusiastic about Guler, highlighting the midfielder’s influence and creativity.

“His quality is incredible: his vision, his decisiveness, the stability he brings to the team’s performance and his creativity. He has huge potential and his statistics are already impressive,” Mourinho said.

He then raised expectations further, adding: “Maybe I do not want to exaggerate and say he is the best, the best, the best, three times, but yes, he is the best, the best.”

Mourinho also outlined what he believes represents Vinicius at his most effective, while stressing that the Brazil international’s contribution goes beyond goals.

“His best state is scoring goals. Obviously creating goals is important, teamwork is extremely important and the daily work is important, which he does perfectly, but there is another Vinicius,” he said.

Real Madrid still developing

Mourinho clarified earlier comments that he needed three months to see Real Madrid playing in the way he wanted.

He said the timeframe was not based on having a “magic formula”, but on making steady progress through matches and training sessions.

“What I mean is that I want to be better than I am today in three months, but I do not have a magic formula that will make us extremely strong in three months,” he said.

The manager added that greater understanding within the squad would come gradually, with continued work alongside his coaching staff helping the team improve.

On his defensive approach, Mourinho said high pressing could not be maintained for the full 90 minutes and that Real Madrid needed to adapt during matches.

“I do not think it is possible to press high for the whole 90 minutes; that is not our style,” he said.

However, he made clear that he did not want the team to retreat into a purely defensive shape.

“I do not like a low-block style, but I also do not want to suffer too much because the opposition scores two or three goals and forces the goalkeeper to make outstanding saves,” Mourinho added.

Tchouameni set for greater role

Tchouameni will be given more responsibility after making only limited appearances since returning.

“He is improving constantly and feels stronger and more confident. He will play tomorrow. I cannot say now how many minutes he will play,” Mourinho said.

He also explained that the coaching staff were carefully managing players’ workloads through a wider injury-prevention programme involving gym work, individual training and medical monitoring.

Asked about Lamine Yamal’s comments regarding his claim to the Ballon d’Or, Mourinho declined to engage in a debate with the Barcelona player.

“I do not comment on players’ statements. I respect all opinions, but I do not comment on them,” he said.

Mourinho also said Federico Valverde and Tchouameni could play together in midfield, explaining that the key issue was balance rather than whether either player was labelled defensive or attacking.

As the press conference appeared to be ending, he added: “No questions about penalties? That is strange, isn’t it?” The remark offered an unclear hint about the refereeing issue before the meeting with Elche.