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Real Madrid News Jose Mourinho won’t allow Brazilian superstar to harm Real Madrid’s interests One of the biggest issues at Real Madrid at the moment is the constant outside chatter surrounding Vinicius Junior. Opponents in La Liga often target the Brazilian superstar and persistently foul him in a bid to stop him, while fans at other stadiums are not a big fan of his antics. The 26-year-old himself often tends to go down with minimal contact, which further adds to the furore around other clubs. After last night’s match, Espanyol took a dig at the Madrid star with a tweet aimed at him, suggesting that he deserved a second yellow for simulation. Now, according to AS, Jose Mourinho has made his position on Vinicius Junior clear: he will defend the Brazilian when he feels opponents go too far. However, he will also demand greater emotional control from one of Madrid’s most important players. Mourinho: ‘Now, Vini is mine’ Mourinho considers Vinicius fully part of his project and wants to protect him while also preventing his reactions from damaging either himself or the team. The relationship between the pair had previously been strained by incidents when Mourinho was still on the opposing side, particularly during the Benfica-Real Madrid clashes last season. That dynamic has now changed completely. Mourinho made that clear after the recent match against Espanyol, saying: “Now Vini is mine.” The Portuguese coach also defended the winger against what he believes is excessive physical and psychological targeting from opponents. “He is not a saint, but what they do to him is too much,” Mourinho said. Support does not mean total freedom Mourinho’s backing, however, is not unconditional approval of everything Vinicius does. The report says the coach knows the Brazilian has a rebellious streak that needs to be managed carefully, especially in emotionally charged matches. He has spoken to Vinicius about maintaining self-control and even warned him to be careful about how he celebrates goals. This is where Mourinho’s management could become important. Vinicius often plays on the edge emotionally, and that fire is part of what makes him dangerous. However, it needs to be fuelled carefully. Mourinho appears determined to strike the perfect balance. He will defend Vinicius publicly when he feels the winger is being unfairly targeted, but behind the scenes, he will also demand discipline. Vinicius does not need a coach who simply tells him he is always right. He needs one who understands his frustration, protects him when necessary and still holds him accountable when his reactions threaten the team’s interests. There is no better man-manager than Jose to do that, and it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese tactician helps soften Vinicius a bit and brings his football back to the forefront. Real Madrid News Jose Mourinho keeping close eye on Real Madrid academy – report There is a lot of expectation riding on what Jose Mourinho can do in his second stint as manager at Real Madrid. The Portuguese tactician has been heavily backed in the summer transfer window, with Real Madrid bringing in as many as six players to bolster the squad. Mourinho has managed to get the troops to rally around him and enjoyed a winning start to La Liga, with a 2-1 win against Espanyol. However, it looks like Jose is keeping a keen eye on more than just the first team. According to journalist Alvaro Esteban, Mourinho is paying close attention to Real Madrid’s academy as he continues to assess the options available to him beyond the senior squad. Mourinho monitoring academy matches Mourinho regularly watches matches involving different Real Madrid youth teams, suggesting the academy could have a genuine role within his plans. There is even a possibility that Mourinho could attend one of the academy’s matches at Valdebebas in person. It is an interesting detail because Mourinho has inherited a Madrid squad packed with established internationals and strengthened by several significant signings this summer. However, that apparently has not stopped him from looking further down the club’s structure for players capable of helping his team. Opportunities could emerge Mourinho’s interest does not guarantee that academy players will suddenly receive major first-team minutes. Competition within the senior squad remains extremely strong. However, being watched closely by the first-team coach is already important for Madrid’s youngsters. Strong performances could potentially earn players opportunities in training, particularly during periods when injuries or a congested schedule reduce Mourinho’s options. Players like Alexis Ciria have already made such an impression during pre-season and could be one of the names to keep an eye on. The Portuguese coach has also never been afraid to reward a player when he believes that player can fulfil a specific tactical role. La Fabrica’s value That could make La Fabrica particularly valuable over a long season. Madrid do not necessarily need every academy prospect to become an immediate starter. Finding one or two players capable of providing reliable depth would already represent a significant success. The club have invested heavily in their squad, but the pathway from Valdebebas should remain open. Academy players can provide solutions that are difficult and expensive to find in the transfer market. It remains to be seen just how much the academy is involved in Mourinho’s plans as he begins his new project at Madrid.