José Mourinho said he is very happy with Carlos Espí after Real Madrid’s 1-0 La Liga defeat at Real Betis on Friday.Espí came off the bench and thought he had equalised with an overhead kick in the 87th minute. The goal was ruled out for offside. He later had a header saved in stoppage time.Mourinho spoke about the 21-year-old after the match at Estadio de La Cartuja.Mourinho said: ‘I’m very happy with him. He’s still very young yet works very hard.’He added: ‘I like Carlos because he’s humble and understands what he must do.’Espí joined Real Madrid from Levante in late July for €25 million and signed a contract until 2031. Mourinho requested the signing after Gonzalo García moved to Fulham.The 1.94-metre striker scored the 90th-minute winner on his competitive debut in the 2-1 victory at Espanyol on 22 August. That result gave Mourinho his first win of a second spell at the club.Mourinho and Espí have lived at the Valdebebas training complex while the player looks for a home in Madrid. They share meals with part of the coaching staff and Marc Cucurella.After the Espanyol match Mourinho said Espí lives a dream but does not work like someone with his head in the clouds. He works very hard for the team.Mourinho also said Espí is the profile Madrid need in tight games. He can receive with his back to goal and occupy defenders.The Betis defeat was Madrid’s first loss under Mourinho this season after three opening wins. Espí remains part of the attacking options alongside Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.
