Bernardo Silva<\/a> has slipped out of Jose Mourinho\u2019s plans. The Portuguese midfielder has played just eight minutes across Real Madrid<\/a>\u2019s last two La Liga<\/a> matches. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n He was an unused substitute against Elche before coming on late against Atletico Madrid, where he provided the assist for Antonio R\u00fcdiger\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Meanwhile, Barcelona, the club Bernardo came close to joining during the summer, are leading La Liga.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The 32-year-old was free to negotiate with any club after leaving Manchester City at the end of his contract.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n According to SPORT<\/a>, Bernardo wanted to join Barcelona, but the financial expectations surrounding a potential deal and his desire to be a guaranteed starter<\/a> ultimately prevented an agreement. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Bernardo rejected Barcelona for Real Madrid. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Hansi Flick could not promise him a regular starting role given the competition for places in Barcelona\u2019s midfield.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Bernardo also attracted interest from Atletico Madrid, but ultimately chose to join Real Madrid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Bernardo began the season as a starter in Real Madrid\u2019s opening two La Liga fixtures against Espanyol and Real Sociedad.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n His involvement has since declined considerably. He has started only one of Real Madrid\u2019s last five league matches, against Rayo Vallecano in a 4-1 victory.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n He was also unavailable for the Champions League victory over Inter Milan because of suspension.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Across the Merengues\u2019<\/em> last two league fixtures, Bernardo has managed only eight minutes, highlighting his reduced role just before the international break.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Despite some questions surrounding Real Madrid\u2019s control and midfield performances, Mourinho has largely settled on Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni as his preferred double pivot.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Valverde has started every match this season, making him a constant presence in Mourinho\u2019s XI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Struggling for minutes. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tchouameni has also become increasingly important since fully recovering from his injury. He has started Madrid\u2019s last two matches and will remain in Spain during the current three-week international break after not being included in France\u2019s squad.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Bernardo, by contrast, has been pushed down the pecking order. The Portuguese has yet to establish himself in Mourinho\u2019s system, either on the right side or in the double pivot.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n His situation is particularly notable given that regular playing time was one of the factors surrounding his decision to join Madrid rather than Barcelona.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n For now, Bernardo faces the task of finding a regular role in Mourinho\u2019s plans after making the move to Real Madrid with the expectation of being a more prominent part of the starting XI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\nBarcelona move collapsed over money and playing time<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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<\/picture><\/div>\nOnly three starts in his last five league matches<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Mourinho prefers Valverde and Tchouameni<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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