Jose Mourinho: Valverde would play in goal if I asked
Jose Mourinho praised Federico Valverde’s versatility following a 4-1 win over Sevilla and discussed the development of youngster Yan Diomande.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has hailed Federico Valverde’s tactical flexibility after the Uruguayan international excelled at right-back during Sunday's 4-1 victory over Sevilla. Despite having natural full-backs available on the bench, Mourinho opted for Valverde, who delivered an impeccable performance, including a crucial goal-line clearance.
Valverde’s engine and defensive awareness allowed young forward Endrick to push forward with greater freedom. Mourinho expressed his admiration for the midfielder’s selflessness, stating that his willingness to sacrifice for the team makes him an indispensable leader.
If we needed him to play as a goalkeeper, he would put on the gloves and go in goal. Jose Mourinho
Mourinho joked that if he had four Valverdes, he could fill four different positions on the pitch with high-level quality. The manager remains convinced that the midfielder’s adaptability is one of his greatest assets in modern football.
The Portuguese boss also took time to assess the performance of 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande, who registered an assist and a stunning solo goal in the win. Mourinho compared Diomande’s current development stage to the early days of Vinicius Junior at the club. While noting that the youngster is still an "unfinished product" who needs to improve his composure in the final third, he remains optimistic about his long-term trajectory.
These tactical solutions and the rapid integration of younger talent provide Mourinho with significant depth as Real Madrid prepares for upcoming European challenges.