Fulham weren’t the only ones pushing for Thiago Pitarch’s move to London in the summer. The Real Madrid youngster apparently wanted it himself, too.
In fact, the 19-year-old reportedly went straight to José Mourinho and asked to follow Álvaro Arbeloa to Craven Cottage.
Mourinho told him he wanted him in his first-team squad instead. Pitarch stayed in Madrid, but there’s a problem with that arrangement. He still hasn’t played a single minute for the senior side this season.
And we’re now getting a better idea of how close he came to leaving.
Pitarch personally asked Mourinho for Fulham move
Spanish outlet Defensa Central have picked up comments from journalist and pundit Alberto Pereiro, who discussed the situation on Roberto Morales’ YouTube channel.
“Thiago Pitarch asked Mourinho to let him go to Fulham with Arbeloa after the U19 European Championship, but the manager told him he wanted him in the first-team squad,” Pereiro revealed.
That’s a significant new detail. We already knew Fulham had pushed hard for the midfielder during the summer. Spanish reports explained that Mourinho personally blocked the move, despite the London club’s efforts.
What hadn’t been clear was Pitarch’s own position. But according to Pereiro, he actively wanted to reunite with Arbeloa, the manager who gave him his breakthrough at Real Madrid last season.
Mourinho managed to keep him, although things haven’t worked out quite as expected.
A knee injury disrupted Pitarch’s pre-season, and he’s since struggled to get anywhere near the pitch for the first team. But even after recovering, he’s been left watching from the bench.
Mourinho still searching for midfield answers
Pereiro also discussed Mourinho’s midfield plans, which could help explain why Pitarch is still waiting.
The Portuguese manager has been experimenting with different combinations, with Federico Valverde moving to right-back and Bernardo Silva partnering Aurélien Tchouaméni in midfield. There’s also Eduardo Camavinga there.
That leaves Mourinho with decisions to make over his other options, including Pitarch.
Reports in Spain have already suggested Pitarch could consider a January loan if his situation doesn’t improve. That might give Fulham another opening soon.
