Mourinho eyeing game-changing tactical tweak to maximise Mbappe’s output next season – report

Mourinho eyeing game-changing tactical tweak to maximise Mbappe’s output next season – report Real Madrid are preparing for a new era under Jose Mourinho, and early signs suggest Kylian Mbappe will sit at the heart of the Portuguese coach’s long-term project.  Rather than asking the French superstar to operate as a traditional centre-forward, the club is working on a tactical system that will maximise his biggest strengths. The idea is not to change Mbappe’s position, but to influence the team’s attacking structure around him.  According to AS , Mourinho is believed to be laying the foundations for a system that allows the Frenchman to receive the ball in dangerous areas with space to attack, rather than spending long periods battling central defenders inside the penalty area. What is Real Madrid’s plan? As per the outlet, the coaching staff believes Mbappe is at his most dangerous when attacking open space rather than operating with his back to goal. Mourinho plans to build his squad around Mbappe. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Hence, instead of being deployed as a fixed number nine, the French international is expected to play from wider and deeper attacking positions, allowing him to use his pace and direct running against defenders. That tactical adjustment would enable Mbappe to receive possession outside the penalty area before driving towards goal, where he is most effective.  It also gives him more opportunities to shoot from the edge of the box and isolate defenders in one-on-one situations. Real Madrid’s vision is to create an attacking environment that naturally suits Mbappe’s qualities rather than asking him to adapt to a role that limits his strengths. Mourinho to play a big role The aforementioned outlet explains that Mourinho is once again studying the 4-2-3-1 formation that has defined much of his managerial career. Mbappe will be allowed more freedom next season. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Within that structure, Vinicius Jr. would start from a slightly deeper position on the left, while Jude Bellingham would be encouraged to make more advanced runs into the penalty area. Those movements would create additional space for Mbappe to attack from outside the box, reducing the need for him to remain between opposition centre-backs throughout the match. Following criticism of his defensive work last season, the French forward has accepted that improvements are needed without possession.  And although Mourinho is still refining his ideas during pre-season, the first building blocks of his tactical project are already becoming visible, focused around Mbappe.