Mourinho to closely monitor two former Real Madrid academy prospects this season – report

Mourinho to closely monitor two former Real Madrid academy prospects this season – report According to Defensa Central , Real Madrid gave Jose Mourinho the option this summer of bringing back two academy graduates who are thriving away from the Bernabeu: Chema Andres and Jacobo Ramon. The pair could strengthen two of the squad’s weaker areas, midfield and defense respectively. However, the Portuguese coach and the club ultimately decided together to wait another year in both cases. Mourinho believes they are progressing well and has approved an exhaustive monitoring of the former La Masia pair throughout the 2026-27 season. Although Real Madrid’s initial plan had always been to wait until 2027, the squad’s shortcomings in defence and midfield prompted the club to offer Mourinho the possibility of bringing both players back this summer. Chema Andres has impressed at Stuttgart. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) Los Blancos have great faith that both can eventually play at the Bernabeu, but believe they still need more time. Mourinho shares that assessment and rejected the option of exercising either buy-back clause, preferring to follow the two youngsters closely for another season. Another year of development Real Madrid’s plan is therefore to watch both players for another year before deciding their futures next summer. Mourinho has a positive opinion of both, but believes neither would currently have enough opportunities in his squad to continue developing at the right pace. For that reason, both the club and the coach believe another season gaining experience in European football is the best option before making a definitive decision. The buy-back costs are also highly manageable. Chema, currently at VfB Stuttgart would cost €18 million in summer 2027, while Jacobo’s clause at Como is between €9 million and €10 million. Ramon will spend another year at Como. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) Less than €30 million for two players performing well in Germany and Italy respectively is an affordable investment, particularly because Madrid already received transfer fees when they left last summer. Defense and midfield remain priorities Central defence and midfield are the two positions Real Madrid intend to monitor most closely in the medium term. Concerns over the physical condition of Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger remain, while the midfield continues to lack the presence of a player with an ability to control games. Alongside Chema and Jacobo, Real Madrid will also assess whether other opportunities emerge on the market at attractive prices. The decisions will ultimately be made next summer. Mourinho intends to follow both academy graduates personally. He wants to watch them play, assess what they are capable of and then tell the club whether he wants them back. Either way, Real Madrid still stand to benefit from both players. They could return to the Bernabeu, or eventually be sold permanently for significant fees that would continue to strengthen the club’s finances.