Former Real Madrid star Guti has said Jose Mourinho's decision to play Michael Essien at left back sends out the wrong message.
Real are in the grip of a defensive injury crisis but Mourinho has opted to play midfielder Essien out of position at left back rather than give youth team players Nacho or Casado a chance.
“It sends out a bad message, when you are there in the subsidiary ready to help the first team and you are not chosen,” he told EFE.
“Essien is a player who gives everything and Mourinho knows him well. I take my hat off to him, but it is not his position. Objections should be raised not with the player, but with the Coach for putting him there.”
The defensive disarray was one of the main reasons for the Merengues 2-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
“I was surprised,” the retired midfielder continued. “It's true that dips can happen, they've been playing since the summer and that takes its toll. But if you lose to a rival on merit that's fine, when you help them to win a game that's more painful.
“Currently Real are a notch below physically and are therefore struggling to win games.”
Guti graduated from the Real youth system alongside the likes of Raul but but doubts the club will produce players of that calibre again soon.
“If there was a Coach committed to the youth team players they wouldn't leave, but the fact is they are leaving, like Juan Mata who is now at Chelsea.
“I feel more sadness than anger. A team like Real needs the identity of bringing great players, but they should also have a base of youth players.”
The former Besiktas man went on to discuss the conflict between Mourinho and Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas' candidature for the Ballon d'Or, and the possibility of Atletico Madrid srtiker Falcao arriving at the Bernabeu.
“They are two very noble characters. Mourinho, what little I know of him, is not spiteful. Sergio I know from way back and he's a person with a very strong character. There might have been a little friction, but things die down with time.
“Casillas should be able to win. For a player to have a career like his is amazing. Admittedly, the Ballon d'Or always seems to go to players who score a lot of goals.
“I would sign Falcao. I've always said the best players in the world have to be at Real Madrid, and he is one of them.”
