Endrick, Real Madrid player
Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images
Real Madrid’s abundance of riches in attack always meant someone was not going to get enough game time under Jose Mourinho.
A couple of months into the new season, that someone appears to be Endrick. The Brazilian has found minutes extremely hard to come by.
His lack of opportunities under Mourinho could reopen the door to a January departure, with AC Milan preparing another attempt to sign the Real Madrid striker on loan.
According to Diario SPORT, citing Portuguese outlet A Bola, Milan coach Ruben Amorim is one of the main advocates of a potential move.
Endrick has played just four official minutes for Madrid this season, although a muscle injury has also limited his availability.
Milan ready to try again
Milan already explored a move for Endrick during the summer and received encouragement from the Brazilian himself.
The transfer did not progress because Mourinho was unwilling to lose the striker at that stage. Several months later, however, the situation looks considerably different.
Endrick of Real Madrid
Endrick is finding minutes hard to come by at Real Madrid. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
Endrick has struggled to enter Mourinho’s rotation, leaving him with another important decision over his development.
The proposed solution would be a six-month loan without a purchase option, meaning Madrid would retain complete control over his future.
It would essentially repeat the formula used last season, when Endrick joined Lyon in January. That spell gave him the regular football he needed.
Endrick, in turn, repaid the French club’s faith in him as he finished with eight goals and eight assists across 21 appearances.
Competition for Endrick
Milan are not alone.
Roma have also contacted the player’s representatives, while Aston Villa attempted to sign him during the summer.
His situation therefore appears to be quite open, with several other European clubs interested in signing him.
Endrick of Real Madrid
The 20-year-old needs regular minutes to develop in his career. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
For Endrick, however, the coming weeks represent another opportunity to change Mourinho’s mind. The Brazilian is only 20, and there is no doubting his potential.
Four minutes is nowhere near enough football for a player at a stage when regular competitive experience is essential.
A loan could make sense for Madrid and Endrick
Madrid should look to give Endrick meaningful game time while also keeping control over his future.
A loan move to AC Milan or any other top European club would allow Los Blancos to keep hold of Endrick in the long run.
Endrick desperately needs minutes to enjoy continuity, and it remains to be seen how Mourinho and the club handle his future.
Three ways Mourinho can solve Real Madrid’s big defensive problem vs Villarreal
Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
With the international break almost over, Real Madrid are set to resume their campaign next weekend when they lock horns with Villarreal.
It will be a tricky contest for Jose Mourinho, whose side are heading into this game with just one option in central defence, Antonio Rudiger.
Dean Huijsen is serving a one-match suspension while Ibrahima Konate won’t be fit in time for the clash, having suffered a knock during the break. Raul Asencio and Eder Militao are both injured.
This leaves Jose Mourinho with three distinct options as he looks to tackle the centre-back problem against Villarreal, as reported by MARCA.
The natural option
Tchouameni could operate at centre-back vs Villarreal. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The most obvious and likely solution is to convert Aurelien Tchouameni into a central defender, a role he knows well and has performed on numerous occasions.
The Frenchman offers physicality, composure in possession, aerial ability and excellent positional awareness, making him a reliable option alongside Rudiger.
Deploying Tchouameni there would require minimal changes to the rest of the side, while also providing a cleaner build-up from the back given his ability to always face forward.
Dumfries as an unconventional option
Another route involves Denzel Dumfries, who possesses the physical attributes to fill in at centre-back in certain situations.
Mourinho has already shown during pre-season that he is not afraid to seek unconventional solutions when circumstances demand it.
The Portuguese experimented with pairing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dumfries earlier in the summer, and the Dutchman’s power and aggression could make him a viable, if unexpected, stopgap for the Villarreal clash.
La Fabrica to the rescue
Mario Rivas, Real Madrid youth prodigy
Rivas is an option for Real Madrid vs Villarreal. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
Finally, the emergency could open the door to Real Madrid’s academy, with Mario Rivas, Joan Martinez and Diego Aguado all options.
Mourinho has repeatedly insisted that youngsters are part of his plans, stating at the start of the season that “the door is open.”
He was even more direct after the Betis game, noting that “as the season progresses, with suspensions and injuries, opportunities will obviously arise for them.”
Rivas, a 19-year-old centre-back who played the entire second half of pre-season with the first team, is the standout candidate.
Mourinho praised both Rivas and Martinez after the Fiorentina friendly, describing them as “two lads with a fantastic future.”
All eyes, therefore, will be on Mourinho’s team selection next week.