van der Vaart backs Mourinho to succeed at Madrid and tips Rodri as an ideal signing

van der Vaart backs Mourinho to succeed at Madrid and tips Rodri as an ideal signing

Former Real Madrid and Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart believes Jose Mourinho is the right man to steady the ship at his former club, and has backed the Portuguese coach to get the best out of a squad that has undergone significant changes this summer.

The Dutch legend, who earned 109 caps for his country, also gave his verdict on Real Madrid's reported pursuit of Rodri, questioned whether Yan Diomande can justify his £100m+ price tag, and explained why Marc Cucurella's arrival could benefit the whole squad.

Mourinho the right man for Real Madrid

With Jose Mourinho's appointment raising eyebrows given how his previous stint at the Bernabeu ended, van der Vaart was unequivocal in his support for the decision, drawing a pointed comparison with his predecessor.

"I mean, we often see a lot of uncertainty at Real Madrid around this time of the year. I know the club very well and there is always something going on. I think Mourinho is the right guy to keep everyone calm and happy. I don't think there will be an issue."

"Mourinho has so much respect from the players. He has that natural ability to get respect. For the players he is fantastic. The players really want to fight for him and that is the most important thing."

"The players want to play for him. I never expected that he would come back, I have to say that, but I think it is a great move. Especially for the club at this time. He is the right man, also considering what we saw last season."

The former Netherlands international also reflected on the broader challenge of managing a club of Real Madrid's size, and what sets Mourinho apart from many of his peers.

"As a coach you also have to be a little bit lucky to succeed. It is up to the players and here and there you just need a bit of luck as a manager."

"Xabi Alonso was amazing at Leverkusen and everybody said he was the best manager in the world and then he came to Real Madrid and after a few months it was done. That doesn't mean he is a bad manager but when it doesn't go well, people will tell you that, just like they will tell you he is the best manager in the world if everything goes well."

"But at the same time, some coaches know how to motivate players, know how to get them to give that 100% every time again. Some coaches can do it at one club with a specific team and style. But Mourinho showed that he can do it everywhere with every team he has managed. I have huge respect for that and for him."

If you agree with van der Vaart and back Mourinho to get the best out of his squad, there are plenty of betting sites offering decent odds for their opener against Espanyol.

Diomande needs time, not pressure

Meanwhile, Real Madrid's reported pursuit of Yan Diomande has raised questions about whether the 19-year-old is ready to handle the weight of expectation at the Bernabeu. However, the former Real Madrid star saw enough at the World Cup to understand the interest, but urged patience.

"I think sometimes Real Madrid rely on the pace of one or two players, and he brings that in the game, he's good with the ball, and in the one against one it's important to have pace.”

“But with every new signing and especially when it's so much money, you have to give the signing a little bit of time to adapt. It's a massive pressure. A lot of time you don't have that time, but I think especially young players, you have to be patient and let them see how it is."

"The problem is because they paid so much money, the pressure is they're expected to perform from minute one, but at the end he's a normal human, so you also need to allow him to make his mistakes. So I hope and expect Mourinho to show patience with him."

Cucurella arrival opens things up for Camavinga and Tchouameni

The arrival of Marc Cucurella from Chelsea was welcomed by van der Vaart, who sees the Spaniard's signing as beneficial not just in itself but for the ripple effect it could have on the rest of the squad.

"Yeah, I think he will get the best out of Camavinga and Tchouameni in the midfield and I also think that it is good to bring a Spanish guy in like Cucurella."

"For Real Madrid it is good to have some Spanish players who play in the national team as well, because that is what I really missed in the World Cup, and I think it was a shame that Spain didn't even have a single Real Madrid player in the squad. Except for Cucurella of course, but he played for Chelsea, but he is a great player. He is good both with and without the ball, and I think they have more possibilities now with him in the squad."

The Dutchman was also honest about where Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga stand with both of their futures still uncertain heading into the new season. Tchouaméni is said to be on Manchester United’s list of targeted midfielders while Camavinga has reportedly been told he can find a new club this summer.

"I like Tchouameni a lot. He is so strong and for me he is the number six that should always play for Real Madrid. Camavinga is a bit up and down. He can be good for two games and then bad for three games, so he needs to be more consistent."

"For sure, Mourinho will put the best players on the pitch and they have to show now in the pre-season that they are the best players."

Rodri the signing Real Madrid need most

Meanwhile, two Premier League midfielders in Rodri and Enzo Fernandez have also been linked with a move to the Bernabeu but van der Vaart was clear about which of the two he believes would better serve Mourinho's side.

"I think Rodri would be a good signing because they don't have that kind of player in the midfield who controls the game both with and without the ball."

"Tchouameni is, without the ball, by far the best player and he is not bad with the ball but he is not controlling the matches. He doesn’t control the rhythm of the game and the team and I think you could see in the World Cup that Rodri didn't miss a single pass."

"Toni Kroos was playing more long balls, but in the short passing he and Rodri are a bit similar. For sure, they have missed Kroos and his qualities."

"When it happens, it will be a good move for both parties. I also think Rodri needs a new environment and to go somewhere else would only be good for him."

Read van der Vaart's take on Morgan Rogers' Price tag