Mourinho rejected Roma loan request for Endrick after striker's Champions League equaliser
Endrick's Roma goal raises questions over his Real Madrid future
Endrick scored Real Madrid's equaliser in their dramatic comeback against Roma, and José Mourinho has explained that he rejected a summer request from the Italian club to take the Brazilian forward on loan. According to Diario AS, the decision was based on the coach's belief in the 20-year-old's ability, and the goal in Rome has sharpened the question of how he will earn regular minutes in Madrid.
Mourinho says no to Roma
"When Roma asked to take him on loan in the summer, I said it was impossible. I know what this kid is capable of," Mourinho said after the match.
Endrick came on with Madrid trailing and headed in the goal that made it 3-3, before Antonio Rüdiger scored the winner in the 90th minute of a 4-3 victory. The result gave Madrid a dramatic Champions League win after they had been 3-1 down.
Limited minutes before the trip to Italy
Before the trip to Italy, Endrick had received only the final four minutes against Elche, also in a late change of plan, according to AS. The forward had been near the bottom of the squad's minutes order, which made his influence at the Stadio Olimpico a notable change in his immediate fortunes.
Mourinho had already said in August that Madrid's No. 9 would not leave Valdebebas, and he reiterated that stance when asked about Endrick's prolonged muscle injury.
A winger rather than a centre-forward?
AS reports that Mourinho views Endrick primarily as a right winger rather than a conventional centre-forward. The coach wanted a different profile at striker and selected Carlos Espí from three options presented by Juni Calafat; he considers the Spaniard and Endrick compatible because they can feature together in that setup.
Endrick added urgency in attack against Roma, completed two successful dribbles and threatened the hosts beyond his equaliser.
The player's view
Endrick said he trusts Mourinho to decide when he should play.
"If I'm supposed to play, Mou will put me on. And if not, he won't. He'll do what's best for me. I'll be ready to help however I can."
Loan speculation continues
Sports Illustrated reports that Endrick has left open the possibility of a January departure, while Mourinho's position is that a loan is not necessary. Those accounts show that the player's openness and the coach's preference are not the same thing.
The immediate test for Madrid is whether the Roma display earns Endrick a more consistent role in the matches ahead. AS describes the performance as a breakthrough and a starting point, with his ability to operate wide offering one route to sharing the attack with Espí.
Earlier reporting from La Gazzetta dello Sport, published on 10 October, said AC Milan believed they were frontrunners for a loan deal for the Brazilian. That report predates the Roma match and does not reflect any confirmed move.