Oezil, Khedira asked to learn English or Spanish by Mourinho
September 1st, 2010 - 9:52 pm ICT by IANSMadrid, Sep 1 (DPA) Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has urged new German players Sami Khedira and Mesut Oezil to learn Spanish or English swiftly so that he can communicate with them, the AS sports daily said Wednesday.
Mourinho said the two Germans were keeping to themselves and not socialising with the other Real players.
“The two Germans don’t have an easy life. They don’t speak a word of Spanish … They don’t even master English. They speak English a little better than Spanish but it is difficult (to communicate),” Mourinho told AS.
The playmaker Oezil and the defensive midfielder Khedira came to Real for 29 million euros from Werder Bremen and VfB Stuttgart, respectively, a few weeks ago. They were not starters when Real opened the league season with a 0-0 draw at Mallorca Sunday.
Mourinho, who took the Real job in summer after guiding Inter Milan to the Champions League trophy and an Italian leage and cup double, also told AS the two players need to interact with their team-mates.
“Their participation in the squad’s social activities is effectively zero. Oezil lives with Khedira and Khedira lives with Oezil,” Mourinho said.
But Mourinho also acknowledged that “you have to be patient and give the two Germans time” to find their way into their new club.
Germany coach Joachim Loew said Wednesday Mourinho was expecting too much from the newcomers.
“No one can expect a player to learn another language in three or four weeks time,” Loew told a news conference.
Loew said that Oezil and Khedira told him they were warmly received at Real and were communicating well with Mourinho. The players are currently with the national team ahead of two Euro 2012 qualifiers.
- Real Madrid fans divided about Germany's Khedira - Jul 31, 2010
- Mourinho and Real fans pleased with signing of Oezil - Aug 18, 2010
- Mourinho determined to strengthen Real with young Germans - Jul 17, 2010
- Real Madrid interested in Germany's Khedira, reports - Jul 07, 2010
- Germany reveal provisional squad for Euro 2012 - May 08, 2012
- Werder Bremen reject Real Madrid offer for Oezil - Aug 14, 2010
- Mourinho blames holidays for his players's lethargic show - Jan 04, 2012
- Khedira about to sign for Real Madrid - Jul 15, 2010
- Stuttgart's Khedira flattered by Real Madrid interest - Jul 23, 2010
- Mourinho retains doubt over his future - Mar 04, 2012
- Real Madrid signs German WC star Ozil - Aug 18, 2010
- Madrid eyes Wenger, Loew after fallout with Mourinho - Jan 25, 2012
- Khedira denies agreeing to deal with Real Madrid - Jul 19, 2010
- Spain's midfield maestros playing on German minds - Jul 06, 2010
- Mourinho - the ego has landed, in Madrid - Aug 24, 2010
Tags: champions league trophy, club germany, coach, defensive midfielder, euro 2012, germans, inter milan, joachim loew, job, jose mourinho, khedira, mallorca, newcomers, news conference, participation, real madrid, starters, team mates, vfb stuttgart, werder bremen