Mourinho offers Camavinga a route into Real Madrid plans despite midfield setback

Eduardo Camavinga has been told he will have to work his way into Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid midfield plans after being placed at the bottom of the manager’s current pecking order, according to reports.

Camavinga was considered a possible departure this summer following an underwhelming campaign last season. However, Mourinho has reportedly held a significant meeting with the France international to explain his position and outline what he must do to earn opportunities.

The details of the conversation were published by Defensa Central, which cited Carlos Carpio, head of the sports department at OKD. Speaking on the Doctor Jota YouTube channel, Carpio said Mourinho had been direct with the players about his current standing.

“Mourinho held a meeting with Camavinga and told him that he is last in the ranking of midfielders,” Carpio said.

He added that Mourinho had also made clear that Camavinga could still play if he chose to remain at the club and showed the required commitment.

“Mourinho told Camavinga that, if he ultimately decided to stay, he would have the chance to play if he worked hard and gave everything he had,” Carpio said.

The report says the manager reinforced that the decision would ultimately be in Camavinga’s hands, with effort and attitude likely to determine how many opportunities he receives.

“If Camavinga accepts this challenge, as Marco Asensio appears to have done, he will have the same opportunities as the rest of the players,” Carpio added.

The comments suggest Camavinga is not beginning the season as Mourinho’s preferred option for a starting midfield position. At the same time, they indicate that the manager is satisfied with the player’s work and remains willing to give him a chance.

Camavinga started and completed the full 90 minutes in the match against Deportivo La Coruna, an appearance presented in the report as evidence that he remains part of Mourinho’s plans despite his current position in the midfield hierarchy.

The France midfielder possesses considerable physical strength, as well as technical quality and a strong awareness when in possession. His biggest difficulty, according to the report, has been a significant lack of confidence in his ability and performances on the pitch.

That uncertainty has negatively affected him during recent seasons, despite the attributes he brings to the team. Mourinho’s message therefore appears to combine a blunt assessment of Camavinga’s current status with an invitation to respond through his work.

Rather than guaranteeing him a starting role, the manager has reportedly placed responsibility on the player to prove that he deserves one. If Camavinga accepts that challenge and maintains his place at Real Madrid, he will be given the same opportunity to compete as the club’s other midfielders.