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Bernardo Silva experienced José Mourinho's trademark tough-love approach firsthand after making his debut for Real Madrid during Saturday's preseason clash with Ferencváros in Budapest, Hungary.
Having joined as a free agent after leaving Manchester City and taking a post-World Cup holiday, Silva featured in the second half of Los Blancos' 2–1 victory.
Mourinho was far from satisfied with the 31-year-old's current physical shape, stating there is clear room for improvement.
"He's a very important player for us. But the poor guy, when he goes on vacation, he likes to disconnect completely, he doesn't do any work," Mourinho said. "So he arrived for preseason with much lower physical fitness, and he has to improve."
Mourinho has built his reputation on publicly calling out his players, using it as a tool to push them into proving him wrong. However, while that method hasn't suited everyone—Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial being well-known cases of players who struggled under that management style—those who do respond to it tend to give everything they have.
He will be hoping Silva, embarking on a fresh chapter in the latter stages of his career after spending nine years total at Manchester City, possesses the mental resilience to fall into the latter category.
Bernardo Silva's Versatility to Cover Rodri Fumble
Real Madrid will not be pursuing Rodri this summer, accepting the risk that despite another transfer window passing without securing a direct replacement for either Toni Kroos or Luka Modrić, the midfield unit has sufficient depth to manage. Should Rodri move anywhere, Barcelona appears to be the destination.
Silva has demonstrated mastery across multiple positions throughout his career, most commonly recognized as a No. 10 or wide midfielder. However, as he enters the later phase of his playing days, Mourinho is optimistic that the Portuguese veteran can fill the No. 6 or No. 8 roles when called upon.
He will need to sharpen his fitness levels considerably before that becomes a reality, though.
"Bernardo is a wonderful player who gives us excellent build-up with the ball, whether he plays in a deeper position. During the match I saw that he lacks physical strength, so I moved him to the No. 10 position. He can play there too.
"He can play in three or four positions."
Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Güler have formed Mourinho's preferred starting midfield trio across three preseason fixtures against Leganés, Fiorentina and now Ferencváros, more out of necessity than design. However, Silva's arrival alongside the imminent returns of Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni from their post-World Cup breaks will provide Mourinho with considerably more options going forward.