Former Real Madrid star Luis Milla says it will take time for Takefusa Kubo to develop a relationship with Villarreal manager Unai Emery.

Real made headlines when they agreed a deal to sign Kubo from FC Tokyo in 2019.

The Japan international, who spent four years with Barcelona's academy, signed a five-year deal with Los Blancos and was loaned to Mallorca.

After 35 La Liga league appearances with the island club, Kubo was expected to kick on this season with Villarreal.

But things haven't gone as planned for the talented playmaker under former Arsenal boss Emery.

Although he has featured heavily in the Europa League, Kubo has started just one out of eight matches in La Liga.

Emery has stressed to Kubo that his time will come at the La Cerámica.

And Milla, a two-time La Liga winner with Real, insists Kubo eventually needs to play regularly for the Yellow Submarine.

"Both player and manager need to be patient," Milla told Tribalfootball.com.

"Unai Emery is in charge at Villarreal and Kubo doesn't seem to be entering too much in his plans at the moment.

"Takefusa need to play regularly to get to his true level. Time will tell what happens, as the season progresses at Villarreal."