Real Madrid have discovered an unlikely match-winner this season, with summer signing Carlos Espi delivering excellent numbers under Mourinho.
However, the Santiago Bernabeu has barely had an opportunity to see him play. Espi is making an extraordinary impact despite receiving very limited minutes.
The young striker has scored three goals in just 38 minutes across Madrid’s opening 10 matches, making him the club’s second-highest goalscorer behind Kylian Mbappe, who has nine.
Espi is making every minute count
Espi arrived at Real Madrid in the summer following Gonzalo Garcia’s departure to Fulham.
The former Levante striker had scored 11 goals for his previous club, including 10 during the decisive final months of the campaign.
However, opportunities have been hard to come by at Madrid. He has yet to start a match, and his longest appearance lasted just 10 minutes against Espanyol.
Carlos Espi has scored important goals for Real Madrid. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Despite that, Espi has already scored decisive goals against Espanyol and Elche, helping Madrid secure two La Liga victories.
He then played an important role in the dramatic 4-3 Champions League comeback against Roma, scoring the goal that reduced the deficit to 3-2.
Remarkably, Espi has scored three times from just 29 touches of the ball this season. His average of one goal every 12.7 minutes is almost unheard of.
Madrid have a different kind of striker
What makes Espi particularly valuable is how different his playing style is from Mbappe’s.
The French superstar thrives on movement, acceleration and attacking space, while Espi offers the instincts of a traditional penalty-box striker.
Two of his three goals, against Elche and Roma, came from first-time finishes. He knows how to time his runs and find the right positions inside the box.
Against opponents defending deep, Espi can occupy central defenders and attack crosses while Madrid’s creative players operate around him.
Mourinho needs to find a way to give Espi enough minutes. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
His presence could become especially useful when matches are tight and Madrid need a more direct approach.
The Bernabeu deserves to see more
Perhaps the most surprising detail is that Espi has played only four minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu, during the match against Real Sociedad.
For a player who has already delivered three important goals, the home crowd have had little opportunity to sing his praises.
Mbappe remains Madrid’s undisputed first-choice striker, and there is no reason to question that hierarchy.
However, there are matches in which Mourinho could make the bold choice to play both Espi and Mbappe.
With Vinicius Junior suspended and Sevilla visiting the Bernabeu, Mourinho has an opportunity to reconsider his attacking structure.
Espi has shown that he can change a game in a matter of minutes. The onus is now on him to sustain that momentum when given a longer opportunity.