The Real Madrid manager backs his current squad amid speculation over several players' futures.
José Mourinho made it clear that there is only one scenario in which his team could strengthen its squad during the winter transfer window. His comments come after weeks of speculation surrounding the futures of several players in the squad.
At the press conference ahead of their clash with Sevilla, José Mourinho discussed his expectations for the club's January transfer window. He made it clear that new signings would only be considered under one specific condition. Real Madrid has not strengthened its squad during the winter transfer window for several years.
“I am not asking for signings. I am happy with the squad and the players, and I feel that the normal thing is for people to improve, both individually and collectively, especially if we have time and peace to work. A coach's job is to work on the development of the players he has. The squad is very good, and I am in no position to ask for players,” Mourinho said when asked about the matter.
The January transfer window has rarely been a busy period for Real Madrid. The club has refrained from strengthening its squad during this period for several years. One reason is that transfer fees tend to be higher in January than in July and August. Another is that making changes to a squad assembled months earlier could be seen as an admission of mistakes in the club's planning for the season.
That is why Real Madrid have gone so long without making signings in January. José Mourinho made it clear that he wants to continue working with all the players currently training at Valdebebas until the end of the campaign. Only the departure of a squad member would create a scenario in which the club might consider bringing in new players for the second half of the season.
“I like having a small squad, which means that for someone to come in, someone else would have to leave. If the club's senior management considers something, we are always here to discuss and assess it, but I am not asking for one or two players on my own initiative,” José Mourinho said.
It is worth remembering that several Real Madrid players, including Endrick and Tiago Pitarch, have been linked with January departures in recent weeks, potentially joining another club for the second half of the season.
During his first spell at Real Madrid, José Mourinho did make signings in the winter transfer window. In January 2011, he requested a striker, and the club responded by bringing in Emmanuel Adebayor. For now, however, the Special One has ruled out replacing any of his current players with another name, with almost eleven weeks remaining before the window opens.
