Real Madrid Castilla's young star Jese Rodriguez has hinted that he may leave the club because of a lack of first team opportunities.
The youngster has earned comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo for his performances with Madrid’s B team, but has so far struggled to break into the senior set up, much to his frustration.
“There are many good players in the first team but right now all of us in the academy see it as being a long way off,” 19-year-old told Marca today.
“I don't know what's going on there but Mourinho is picking players from the first team more, which is normal, but I think that the academy is working well too.
“Why have I not been given a chance? I don't understand it. I keep on working hard but I don't know. I'm thinking about my team now and myself, that's the priority.
“I'm going to keep on working hard there and I hope the club knows I'm working hard, I'm sure they do know and they will be watching.
“I believe I have earned the opportunity, too. But if the opportunities don't come, you lose hope. I dream of playing for Real Madrid yes, but I'm gradually losing hope, when I see the opportunities aren't coming my way.”
The youngster hinted that the situation cannot continue.
“Would I leave? Yes, I am just contracted until 2014. If I fail to get a chance then I will look at other things. I want to play for Real Madrid, but if they do not trust me here, perhaps other teams will.
“Have I had a contract offer? No, I have had no offer from the club. I guess I will be waiting. My agent is considering other options and we will wait. There is still time.”
Jese was asked of assistant Coach Aitor Karanka’s relationship with him, and then his experiences so far with Jose Mourinho.
“Karanka? Yes he is still one of my main supporters, I feel very grateful to Aitor, but hey, he’s now with the first team and we’re not so close anymore.
“Mourinho is a Coach who demands a lot. I tried to learn as much as I could from him and he obviously demands a lot from the academy players, even more so of the academy players, and I learned what I could from him.
“But he is a professional Coach and he looks at other things. I think he's a Coach who surrounds himself with players that have already made it. The academy Coach is Toril.
“Toril has been very important to me. He has taught me a lot, gave me a lot and I have confidence that one day he will be first team Coach.”
