3 doubts over Vinícius's return: a single criticism for Mourinho

Morales said, via his YouTube channel, that Real Madrid had become a contender for every title. "This team now aspires to everything, La Liga, the Champions League and all the competitions, because it is showing continuity and strength in its image as a team, as well as the development of its players at the individual level," he explained.

The Spanish journalist believes Mourinho faces a major challenge, though: how to reintegrate Vinicius Junior into the system the Portuguese coach has built over recent weeks. Bringing the Brazilian winger back, he argued, raises three doubts. Can the side maintain the same strong performances and results? Can it sustain its collective spirit and defensive commitment? And can it preserve its tactical balance?

Read also: a strange message to Neuer: Sibari stumbles in the German test

He explained: "I think the only thing the team is missing, and the biggest challenge facing Mourinho at the moment, is finding a place within this distinctive collective performance for the piece that still does not work as required: Vinicius."

He added: "With Vinicius present, the team must maintain the same amount of collective spirit, play with the same quality, and continue working in the same way during matches."

Morales continued: "We will see what still needs to be confirmed, and whether Jose Mourinho, with the return of Vinicius, will be able to maintain the same level for his team competitively, as well as in terms of collective solidarity and balance."

Real Madrid earned Morales' praise for a serious display against Valencia, delivered without their Brazilian winger. Vinicius missed the last four league matches through suspension after his red card against Villarreal.

A return to Mourinho's plans is expected when Real face Celta Vigo on Saturday 21 November at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Video: outside the top 30! A major shock in the global ranking of the Saudi league

Morales also delivered a positive verdict on the first four months of Mourinho's current tenure. He praised the Portuguese's management of the team, though he had one reservation: the delay in making substitutions against Valencia.

He said: "The only thing that puzzles or surprises me is Mourinho's delay in making changes. I think bringing on Tiago or Esper in the 91st minute is unnecessary, because in a match that was practically over at 3-0, he could have fielded them long before that."

Those young players deserve early minutes, he argued, particularly in games already settled, allowing the key men to be rested.

That reservation aside, Morales had no hesitation in praising the Portuguese. "No criticism can be levelled, the truth is that Mourinho's management of Real Madrid is exemplary," he said.

Read also: The battle of major investments: the Bernabéu outstrips the new Camp Nou