Jose Mourinho has dismissed concerns that Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, and Kylian Mbappe cannot function as a unit, insisting the three Real Madrid superstars are far from incompatible — even as he acknowledged the challenge of building the right tactical framework around them.

Speaking ahead of Real Madrid's La Liga opener against Espanyol on Saturday, Mourinho said the quest for a "perfect set-up" would be difficult but not impossible. "They are incredible players and incredible players want to play with incredible players," he told reporters. "Top players have frustration when they play with teammates who are not top."

The 63-year-old, who returned to the Bernabeu for a second stint in charge after his appointment was confirmed in June, added: "It's harder for Mourinho to find the perfect set-up for all three. It's harder. But here we are. I want all three of them to feel comfortable on the field together."

Bellingham's own admission

Mourinho's comments echo sentiments Bellingham himself expressed before Real Madrid faced Bayern Munich in last season's Champions League quarter-final. The England midfielder said at the time that playing alongside Mbappe and Vinicius Jr could make it "difficult" to reach his individual peak.

"It's difficult, because I still feel like there have been many games where we've mixed really well," Bellingham said. "It can be difficult when we're all on the same side. We're fluid, we have freedom to move around, at times that can disorganise a bit, but with both of them, you have to trust in their ability."

Mourinho noted that Bellingham, Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr each performed in "perfect" roles for England, France, and Brazil respectively at the World Cup, but conceded that recreating that harmony in Madrid would be a greater test. "I'm very confident that you'll say it's great when the three play together because they're high-quality players, and I don't think their positions are incompatible either," he said.

Moving beyond dressing room turbulence

Mourinho's tactical puzzle is not the only problem he must solve. Real Madrid endured two chaotic seasons — three managers came and went without delivering a single trophy — and the Portuguese coach arrives with a fractured squad to repair.

Among the most damaging episodes was a dressing-room altercation between midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde that left the Uruguay international hospitalised with a head injury. The club confirmed both players were fined 500,000 euros each and had "apologised to each other, the club and their team-mates."

Mourinho, who won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup during his first spell at the club between 2010 and 2013, says he has chosen to wipe the slate clean rather than dwell on past tensions. "I've come to know many things, not just the situation that occurred between Tchouameni and Federico [Valverde]. But I decided to start from scratch," he said.

"What I've seen isn't about peace — it's about normality, friendship, and cooperation. It's as if nothing ever happened," he added. "We need to be a team, work well, and not try to negotiate things that are non-negotiable. Commitment has to be present every minute of every match."

Real Madrid face the added pressure of chasing down Barcelona, who have claimed the past two La Liga titles, as Los Blancos look to end their domestic drought.