MADRID: Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho sees no place in his team for Pedro Leon, Royston Drenthe and Fernando Gago this season.
A day before Madrid starts its league campaign at Zaragoza, Mourinho said Saturday that if the three players don’t find another team before August 31, “they won’t be options for me because they don’t enter into my plans.”
Drenthe spent last season on loan at Hercules, while Gago and Leon saw little playing time with Madrid.
Mourinho’s harshest comments were for Leon, a Spanish midfielder Madrid paid Getafe a reported (euro) 10 million ($14.5 million) for last season.
The Portuguese coach denied media reports claiming he had stopped Leon’s exit, adding “I would like him to leave.”
Mourinho said France midfielder Lass Diarra, however, is welcome to stay.
Kaka also has a place on Mourinho’s squad, but, like last season, he will be coming off the bench as playmaker Mesut Oezil’s substitute.
Kaka has faced serious injury since joining Madrid from Milan two summers ago for a reported (euro) 65 million ($94 million).
“Kaka is my player,” Mourinho said. “He is on the squad for the game against Zaragoza, like the professional he is, and he will be on the bench.” (Agencies)