Journalist claims some Real Madrid players are ‘out of shape’ as problems mount

The international break has given Real Madrid some much-needed breather so that Jose Mourinho's men can ruminate what went wrong and why the team has fallen so far behind Barcelona .

Recent reports have indicated that the same dressing room problems that have been harrowing the club over the past few years, have started to resurface once again, even under the new manager.

Now, a fresh report suggests the issue could be much more than Real Madrid players lacking the cohesion.

According to journalist Rodra P (h/t Bernabeu Digital ), several members of the Real Madrid squad are currently out of shape, an issue that is beginning to cause concern within the club.

Mourinho has failed to get a grip on the dressing room. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

The problem, as per the report, is not just limited to performances on the pitch. There is also said to be a difficulty in openly communicating to certain players that they need to improve their physical condition, making the situation harder to address.

The report comes in the wake of Real Madrid's damaging defeat to Atletico Madrid .

This is also the second time there have been wider concerns around the team's intensity, with Real Madrid having covered the least distance of any side in La Liga this season.

Mourinho has emphasised that no player is guaranteed a starting spot based on their name, salary or reputation. Instead, playing time will be determined purely by performance and the level shown in training and matches.

It is time for Mourinho to take some tough calls. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

That philosophy could work in Mourinho's favour when dealing with players who are not in peak condition.

With quality alternatives in virtually every position, the coach has the option to drop anyone falling short of the required standards.

Real Madrid are still searching for a settled starting eleven, and the early weeks of the season have shown that several players can rotate in and out of the side.

In that sense, internal competition becomes a useful tool for Mourinho to drive up standards across the squad.

For now, the priority during the break will be getting his players back to full fitness and instilling the intensity his system demands.

With a six-point gap to Barcelona already, Real Madrid cannot afford for fitness issues to derail their campaign any further.