The Portuguese coach, who is set to begin his second spell in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu next month, said reports suggesting he plans to offload some of Madrid's biggest names are wide of the mark.
"I want these players, I want the best players," Mourinho said on the Beast Mode On podcast. "I have to find a way to have a team and not have the problems that, from what I've read, they had in previous seasons."
Madrid have endured two seasons without a major trophy, with high-profile names such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham unable to guide the club back to silverware. The campaign was also overshadowed by reports of dressing-room tensions and instability on the bench, with Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa both leaving their posts.
Despite the turmoil, Mourinho made it clear that working with elite players remains central to his plans.
"The big players are the big players," he said. "If you have problems with not very good players, that is a big problem."
Madrid have already strengthened ahead of the new season by signing Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konate, while club president Florentino Perez has also promised the arrival of Denzel Dumfries.
Mourinho said he wants to build relationships with his squad before making any judgments.
"When I arrive at a club, I don't like to speak much. I need to know the players and I want the players to know it's not about what people say about me, it's about what they see in me," he said.
"I don't make miracles, but I can improve the guys that want to improve. With some others, it's an impossible job."
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager also joked that he hopes his Real Madrid players do not go too deep into the World Cup so they can return refreshed for pre-season.
"You want the truth? I want the Real Madrid players to lose and go on vacation because I want them back for pre-season," Mourinho quipped.
His comments suggest that continuity, rather than a revolution, will define the early stages of his latest stint in the Spanish capital.
Antonio Rudiger has spoken of his excitement at finally working under Jose Mourinho after the Portuguese coach returned as Real Madrid manager, while the defender continues to lead Germany's challenge at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Midfielder Dani Ceballos has confirmed he is leaving Real Madrid after seven seasons, bringing an end to a successful spell that delivered 16 major trophies with the Spanish giants.
Luis Suarez believes Hansi Flick's Barcelona have continued to prove their critics wrong by maintaining their intensity, attacking style and winning mentality under the German manager.
Marc Cucurella has said he is excited about the challenge of joining Real Madrid and is already looking forward to building a strong partnership with Vinicius Junior after completing his move from Chelsea.
