Among the key choices facing Mourinho are the futures of several promising young talents, including Gonzalo Garcia, Franco Mastantuono, and Thiago Pitarch. The coach intends to evaluate all players during pre-season to determine who should remain with the first team and who might benefit from a loan spell to aid development.
Thiago Pitarch, in particular, has generated interest as the club weighs its options. Reports indicate that Pitarch’s top priority is to earn a place in the first-team squad and prove he deserves to stay with Real Madrid beyond the upcoming season. His rise began under Alvaro Arbeloa, who gave him a senior debut with a brief appearance in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Benfica, a clash then managed by Mourinho. Following that debut, Pitarch established himself quickly, starting 11 matches through the end of the season and completing 10 of them, even surpassing Eduardo Camavinga in the pecking order at one point.
Currently, Pitarch is preparing to represent Spain at the UEFA Under-19 European Championship in Wales, while questions linger about his long-term future at Real Madrid. So far, there have been no significant loan offers for the teenager, but he remains eager to impress Mourinho and secure a place in the first-team plans.
Mourinho has long believed that young players benefit most from regular competitive minutes rather than extended time on the bench. This philosophy guides his approach to Pitarch and Mastantuono. In recent seasons, Pitarch has impressed in high-stakes environments, and Mastantuono has drawn attention since his breakthrough with River Plate. As a result, Mourinho intends to assess both youngsters personally before deciding on their next steps.
If it becomes clear that Pitarch or Mastantuono would benefit more from playing regularly elsewhere, the club will work with the players to identify loan destinations that best support their development. Mourinho regards these cases as special, indicating a willingness to tailor paths for individual players to maximize long-term growth.
In sum, the plan for the upcoming preseason is to evaluate all options thoroughly. The aim is to balance immediate first-team needs with the players’ development trajectories, ensuring that decisions—whether to keep, loan, or transition players—are guided by what contributes most effectively to their growth and the club’s long-term success.
