José Mourinho expressed his preference for Nico Williams over Lamine Yamal, praising the young winger's talent and expressing hope for his future at Real Madrid.
José Mourinho, the seasoned and respected coach of Fenerbahçe, is preparing for a pivotal match against Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League, a game that will kick off the sixth round of the group stage.
This comes just one day before the much-anticipated clash with the Basque side, scheduled for Wednesday at 3:30 PM. In his pre-match press conference, Mourinho took the opportunity to share his thoughts on the talented players currently in the spotlight, particularly comparing two young and exciting talents: Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.
Mourinho, who has long been known for his sharp football insights, expressed admiration for both players but made it clear that he prefers Nico Williams over the highly touted Lamine Yamal. “Nico is unique, wonderful,” Mourinho said. “During the European Championship, people were focused on Lamine Yamal, who is obviously another wonderful kid, but personally, I prefer Nico. He's a fantastic player, and you can't think that a Turkish club could sign him. I hope he ends up with 'blanco,’” referring to the legendary white shirts of Real Madrid.
Mourinho’s praise of Williams, a player who has already established himself as one of Spain’s rising stars, was coupled with a vision for his future. The Portuguese coach hopes that the winger will eventually play for a top European club, and specifically for Real Madrid, signaling just how highly he rates Williams. This comment adds weight to the growing speculation about Williams’ future, with many believing that the 21-year-old could soon be making a big move to one of Europe’s elite clubs.
The discussion around the players led Mourinho to reflect on his time managing Real Madrid, particularly his encounters with Athletic Bilbao between 2010 and 2013. “I won six games against Athletic with Real Madrid; it’s easier to win with them,” Mourinho remarked, looking back on his successful spell at the Spanish giants. He continued, “The Bielsa Athletic, for us, with the way they played, was very easy. They played man-to-man, with many individual duels that were easy to win, with Cristiano Ronaldo at 26 or 27 years old, Higuaín, Benzema, Di María... Winning six games with that Real Madrid against that Athletic was easy, now it would be more complicated.”
Mourinho's recollection of his time at Real Madrid highlights the difference between the two teams now. Under the management of Marcelo Bielsa, Athletic was known for its intense, man-to-man marking and high-energy play. Mourinho, with his tactical brilliance and world-class players, made light work of such systems, as he had the firepower to overwhelm Athletic. However, with a new, more challenging Athletic Bilbao under new management, Mourinho acknowledged that the task has become more complex. Despite the challenge, Mourinho remains confident in his team’s ability to tackle the challenge head-on, acknowledging that his current Fenerbahçe squad is in a rebuilding phase and requires time to develop into a consistent force.
Reflecting on his team’s performance, Mourinho downplayed Fenerbahçe's recent 0-1 loss in a derby against Besiktas, brushing it off as an unfortunate result. "If we played ten times, we would win eight and they would draw one,” he stated, adding that the team must move on and focus on the bigger picture. His calmness and focus on long-term goals have been a hallmark of his managerial approach, emphasizing consistency over immediate setbacks.
Looking ahead, Mourinho is optimistic about Fenerbahçe's chances of advancing in the Europa League. With just one more victory needed to secure qualification for the knockout stages, the Portuguese coach is confident that his side can achieve the necessary points. “Our feeling is that three more points, a total of 11 points, will be enough to reach the next phase,” Mourinho explained. “We should also consider advancing past the play-off round [for the ‘round of 16’]. We can achieve a good result by getting all the remaining points,” he added. This pragmatic approach is key to ensuring that Fenerbahçe’s Europa League journey continues and that the team remains competitive in European football.
As of now, Fenerbahçe is sitting in 15th place in the Europa League with 8 points, a position that is still within reach of qualifying for the next round. On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao sits in second place with 13 points, tied with Eintracht Frankfurt in third and Lazio at the top of the group. Despite the disparity in points, Mourinho remains focused on his team’s growth, and his belief in their potential is evident.
For Fenerbahçe, the road ahead involves not only securing qualification but also further building confidence within the squad. Mourinho’s tactical approach, combined with the hunger to improve, has already set the foundation for future success. However, the team must continue to develop both domestically and internationally if they are to compete at the highest level.
With the stakes high and challenges ahead, Mourinho’s calm leadership will be crucial in navigating the upcoming fixtures. For now, the focus is firmly on the match against Athletic Bilbao, a key game for both sides in their quest to progress in the Europa League. As Mourinho continues to work with a squad that he believes has the potential to achieve great things, his legacy as one of football's top managers will continue to evolve, with Fenerbahçe hoping to add another chapter of success under his guidance.
