Jose Mourinho personally blocked academy star’s departure in the summer
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho personally blocked academy midfielder Thiago Pitarch from transferring to Fulham during the summer window. Despite this, the youngster has yet to receive significant playing time under Mourinho this season.
Why it matters
The decision highlights a potential disconnect between Mourinho's squad management and the club's need for midfield creativity, sparking debate over the development of youth talent.
Jose Mourinho's selections so far do not suggest that the manager counts on academy talents, and his ideology is understandable given the transfer domination and freedom Real Madrid possess.
His stance, however, is the polar opposite of last season's coaches Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, both of whom did count on academy names in some capacity.
Of the various players handed a chance last season, Thiago Pitarch stood out as one of the creme-de-la-creme as he even established himself as a starter at one point and brought to the table what the team lacked in midfield – control and creativity.
Mourinho personally blocked Pitarch's departure. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)
So far this season, Jose Mourinho has handed the young midfielder no minutes and there has been no sign to suggest that he counts on the player.
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