World Cup
Mourinho to assess Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastantuono
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid's new manager, will evaluate Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastantuono before deciding whether they remain at the club. The assessment will take place during preseason, which starts next month, with a final decision expected by the end of July.
Mourinho has already overseen wholesale changes in defence and linked the midfield with big signings. Players such as Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, Fran Garcia, Gonzalo Garcia and Brahim Diaz have been linked with exits as the club balances its books.
Rodra reported that Mourinho has placed the two youngsters in a conditional bracket, meaning he will not sell them immediately. The story is accompanied by a photo from Florencia Tan Jun.
The two names identified are Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastantuono, both of whom spent last season in the first team with limited prominence. Their limited game time last season is a key factor in the conditional approach.
Mourinho wants both players to stay in Madrid and begin preseason with him next month. He will only decide on their future after watching them in action firsthand.
Garcia, a natural striker, must compete directly with Kylian Mbappe, the team's de facto striker, and Endrick, who is returning from loan and has reportedly impressed the manager. A related image is credited to Carl Recine.
Mastantuono now faces competition from Real Madrid's new signing Bernardo Silva, expected to be a regular starter on the right wing. Both youngsters must consider limited minutes if they remain.
Neither player is on display at the ongoing FIFA World Cup for their respective nations, so they will be in action for Mourinho only when preseason begins. Their futures are likely to be decided towards the end of July.