Mourinho reflects on missing out on Rodri

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has conceded that midfielder Rodri would have been the “icing on the cake” for his squad this season, after the World Cup winner opted to join Barcelona instead.

Rodri, one of the most coveted midfielders in world football, was heavily linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabéu during the summer window. The player himself acknowledged that there was interest in his services from other clubs, but ultimately he made the move to Camp Nou, penning a four-year contract with Barcelona.

“There’s no shortage…”

Mourinho, speaking at his pre-match press conference, was pressed on Madrid’s failure to land Rodri and admitted the midfielder would have been a major asset for Los Blancos.

“There’s no shortage… he would have been the icing on the cake,” Mourinho told reporters. “He’s a great player with a lot of experience… but when you have Tchouaméni, Valverde, Bernardo, or Arda… who can play in those positions, you realize we won’t have any problems.”

The Portuguese coach was at pains to stress that, despite missing out on Rodri, Real Madrid’s midfield options remain more than sufficient, pointing to the depth provided by the likes of Tchouaméni, Valverde, Bernardo and Arda.

Rodri settling in at Barcelona

Rodri will now line up for Hansi Flick’s Barcelona side and has already declared himself “ready to play” after undergoing a minor procedure on his back over the summer.

It remains unclear exactly when the midfielder will make his debut for the Blaugrana. An update is expected from Flick on Saturday when he faces the media ahead of Sunday’s La Liga opener against Elche.