Mourinho: Real Madrid need one more forward
Reuters - Tuesday 12 July 2011, 10:36
MADRID - Real Madrid's squad is almost
complete but the club still lacks one forward, according to
coach Jose Mourinho.
Real were unable to end the dominance of great rivals
Barcelona in Mourinho's first campaign in charge last season and
have already added midfielders Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop,
defenders Raphael Varane and Fabio Coentrao and forward Jose
Callejon to their roster.
Reports in local media have linked the big-spending club
with forwards Sergio Aguero of Argentina and Neymar of Brazil,
currently representing their countries at the Copa America.
"We decided to improve and balance the squad without ever
losing the dimension of creating a team for the future,"
Mourinho said in an interview on Real's website.
"We have signed players whom we felt were important to
complete a squad that was already very strong," the Portuguese
added.
"In my opinion, and in that of everyone, we are missing one
more man, one more attacker."
Real's players and technical staff arrived in Los Angeles on
Tuesday on the first leg of a pre-season tour that will also
take them to Germany, England and China.
They play David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy on July 17 and
Mourinho is due to appear at a news conference with the former
Real player and England international later on Tuesday.
Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo, captain Iker Casillas,
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena and captain Landon Donovan would also
attend, Real said.
Mourinho said the low average age of the current Real squad
meant it was good for the next 10 years.
"We have a team that needs to grow and at certain moments it
could feel some weakness on an emotional level and in terms of
experience," he said.
"I am delighted to work with them because they are highly
motivated and want to learn and win. The technical staff is
absolutely delighted."