Carlos Espi talks Real Madrid move, Mourinho, Mbappe, Joselu, Gonzalo Garcia, derby defeat

Carlos Espi talks Real Madrid move, Mourinho, Mbappe, Joselu, Gonzalo Garcia, derby defeat Carlos Espi’s rise at Real Madrid has been almost impossible to script. The summer signing arrived from Levante with little time to settle into life at the Santiago Bernabeu, yet two injury-time goals against Espanyol and Elche have already changed his status under Jose Mourinho.  The late winners earned Espi a Spain Under-21 call-up, while his performances have also brought him into the conversation around a Real Madrid attack led by Kylian Mbappé. Speaking to AS , Espi opened up on the whirlwind transfer, his relationship with Mourinho, adapting to a dressing room filled with established stars and the expectations placed on him as a young forward. One eye on the senior setup The biggest change has not been going from Levante to Real Madrid. Espi had to deal with the unusual pressure of knowing he was joining one of the biggest clubs in football while being unable to tell even his closest friends. Asked whether the Under-21 call-up was something he expected, Espi explained why it has given him another boost after his spectacular start in Madrid. Carlos Espi has already scored two injury-time goals for Real Madrid. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images) “I knew I had a chance; being called up to the Under-21s has really motivated me. I’m really, really keen to support and help the team in any way I can.” The forward is already thinking about what the opportunity could mean for his senior Spain ambitions , although he is keeping his immediate focus on the Under-21s. “I hope so, but I’m here on my first call-up to the Under-21s and I’m really keen to give my all and help the team. It’s time to be ready.” Espi admits Madrid move was difficult to keep secret The speed of his transition has been striking. Just weeks earlier, Espi was at Levante. Now he trains alongside players like Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and others. Reflecting on that contrast, he said: “To be honest, it brings me back down to earth when I go back to my home town and see the reality of things.  “Training with the best in the world is a privilege , and I’m really happy about it.” Keeping the transfer quiet, though, was a different matter. He said, “It was incredibly difficult. Just imagine not being able to say you’re signing for Real Madrid!  “Those were a proper nightmare of a few days, because you want to tell people, but you have to stick to what they ask of you. “They told us it would happen soon, that we shouldn’t say anything… But all I wanted was to tell my friends. “You’ve no idea how many times they asked me if I was going to one team or another. But I couldn’t say a word! Anyway, I’m really happy. And they’re really happy for me.” Furthermore, there was little doubt about the decision once Madrid made their move. “As soon as they mentioned Real Madrid, it was clear to us that it was a huge step forward in my career – a chance to grow and improve every day. “You do that in every training session; you learn new things. Every minute I play for Real Madrid is extra motivation.” Mourinho has taken Espi under his wing Espi’s development is also taking place under a manager who has already made him feel important .  Espi is learning a lot from Mourinho. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Mourinho has spoken warmly about the youngster and even shares meals with him at Valdebebas, something Espi clearly values. Explaining what the manager’s approach has done for him, he said, “Given Mourinho’s track record, the fact that he’s welcomed me as he did from day one, and that he’s so demanding of me.  “It makes me feel more at ease, more secure, and more confident. It’s a privilege that Mourinho is like that with me.” The young striker has also earned praise from inside the dressing room. Courtois has described him as “a character”, while Espi says recognition from players of that standing gives him confidence. “The fact that players of such calibre, with such a distinguished career and such high standards, speak of me in that way… It motivates me; it makes me believe in myself. It’s a huge privilege, to be honest.” Comparisons with Joselu have inevitably followed, but Espi is keen to establish his own identity. “He’s him, and I’m me. He made the most of his chances very well and I try to do the same every time I come on.  “I do what the manager says: work as hard as I can for Real Madrid. He’s a key striker too; we’re similar. But I focus on myself, on how I can help the team.” That attitude has also helped him accept a substitute role behind Mbappe. “I’m here to make the most of every opportunity. I want to improve, I want to grow. Training with players like Kylian, Jude… with everyone.  “It’s incredible to see how competitive they are, how demanding. I’m learning and improving a lot. Every time I come on, I want to give my all and help the team.” As expected, there has been no shortage of players making an impression on him. “Surprised me… Kylian, Jude, Vini… Thibaut – he trains so hard! (laughs). Everyone, everyone. They’re the best in the world. You see it every day – their competitiveness.  “They’ve won loads of titles and they’re still trying to get better every day. It really is a privilege.” A lot of Real Madrid players have helped Carlos Espi get settled at the club. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images) Espi also singled out the players who helped make his transition easier. “I’d say all of them… They’ve made me feel really, really welcome. I was surprised by how approachable they were.  “Perhaps Fede (Valverde), Brahim, Carreras, Dean (Huijsen)… Honestly, they’ve all been really kind and approachable towards me.” Espi explains what Mourinho wants from him The clearest insight into Espi’s role comes from Mourinho himself through the instructions he gives the striker when he enters matches. Asked what the manager demands when he is sent on during crucial moments, Espi said:  “First of all, he always tells me to give my all. Whether it’s 5, 10 or 15 minutes. To give it my all. And to help Kylian, who’s playing alongside me, so that we complement each other up front.  “To be in the box, because at any moment the ball might fall to me… And in this case, twice – and almost three times – it has fallen to me.” Those instructions have already produced tangible results, with Espi finding decisive goals against Espanyol and Elche. Yet his emergence comes at a time when Madrid are dealing with a difficult spell. Their derby defeat to Atletico Madrid exposed some of the team’s problems, but Espi insists the squad remains united. “We need to stick together and keep working in the same vein every day, because the results will come. We have to keep looking ahead and believe in ourselves. There are plenty of matches left.’” The derby defeat still hurts, particularly given the occasion and the venue, but Espi believes the international break offers Madrid an opportunity to reset. “You want to win, especially a derby at Atleti’s ground. We’re gutted, of course, but there are plenty of matches left.  “We have to stick together, not give up – I think we’ll pull through. This break will do us good to recharge our batteries and look ahead.” On Gonzalo Garcia Espi is now also sharing the Spain Under-21 setup with Gonzalo Garcia, the forward taking his place at Madrid while he is away on international duty.  Rather than viewing him as competition, Espi sees the pair as complementary. “Gonzalo’s a brilliant guy. He’s been great to me from day one and has helped me a lot. And whether we play together or separately is down to the manager. “We’re both here to give our all and be there when it counts. If we play together, we’ll complement each other. And whichever of us plays, we’ll be game-changers. But I’m really happy – I’ve been pleasantly surprised by what a good person he is.” And despite playing alongside some of the biggest names in world football, Espi had no hesitation when asked who he would choose for the Ballon d’Or. “Without hesitation, Mbappe,” he concluded.