A column in AS suggests that Vini Jr., Bellingham and Mbappé should be absolute key players for Mourinho, but it's concerning if "untouchable" becomes a permanent status.

In the classic film The Untouchables, the federal agent played by Kevin Costner, guided by Jim Malone, once asked a difficult question: How far are you willing to go to achieve your goal? Without the drama, and without life or death at stake, allow me to pose this question to Mourinho: How long is he prepared to keep these players "untouchable" and protected? Communicating substitution decisions to star players has never been easy. But currently, it seems equally difficult to take them off when the game is not going well. Vini Jr., Bellingham and Mbappé are only substituted in the final moments, when the outcome is already decided, or when they are exhausted and ask to come off. As Ancelotti once said: "If you're tired, raise your hand." Yet no one raises their hand.

It was originally thought that with Mourinho's return, his authority over star players and his ability to make decisive calls—qualities for which Xabi Alonso paid the price—would be more valued than his recent track record as a manager on the bench. In a dressing room that demands strong leadership, that authority has yet to translate into concrete competitive decisions. When it actually comes to making calls, Güler remains the player most likely to be rotated or substituted, despite delivering a masterclass with his performances. At the La Cartuja stadium in Seville, Real Madrid had an excuse, but without the Turkish talent, Madrid's attack faltered.

Talent, status and leadership dictate that the three main players should be Mourinho's "elite troops," but the problem arises when "untouchable" ceases to be a result of performance and becomes a permanent state; confidence then blurs into immunity. This signals a lack of merit-based reward and can affect the entire team. An early substitution should not be interpreted as punishment. If the team wants to avoid repeating the mistakes that have prevented it from winning titles, the value of the team must outweigh individual interests.

Traduzido por IA.

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