Real Madrid News
Real Madrid shut down La Liga rivals’ loan approach for young forward – report
Real Sociedad paid a visit to Real Madrid earlier this week, and their visit did not go very well as they faced a difficult defeat after an inspired performance by the hosts.
As reported by journalist Ruben Canizares (h/t Defensa Central) now, however, the Basque side had a second objective on their trip to Madrid as they were hoping to secure the arrival of Endrick on loan this summer.
The visiting team’s administration took the opportunity to meet with Real Madrid’s hierarchy and discuss the transfer of the young Brazilian, but that objective did not go well for them either.
Real Madrid reject the proposal
Just as Real Madrid did with last-minute interest from Arsenal and Liverpool in Endrick, they shut down all doors to the player leaving and informed Real Sociedad that the operation would not work out.
The reason for them rejecting the deal, however, are surprising as they are seemingly not linked only to the player being in Jose Mourinho’s plans.
Instead, Real Madrid refused the loan of Endrick to La Real as it did not make sense to them financially. The proposal, after all, involved them paying a big part of his salary which and they saw the conditions to be poor.
Set to return soon
Endrick has been out of Real Madrid’s matchday squads so far this season as he is nursing a fitness setback. He is closer than ever to a return, and Mourinho even confirmed that he will be back in action soon.
From the Portuguese manager’s standpoint, Endrick remains an important player whom he counts on and sees as a vital player to add to the bench strength.
Carlos Espi’s arrival does indeed add depth to the centre-forward department, but there is a sense of understanding that Endrick offers a very different profile and skill set.
At this point, Real Madrid are not considering a departure for the Brazilian star. Mourinho will count on him and a decision will be taken in January based on his prominence and influence.
Real Sociedad, thus, could well look to return in January in the player’s pursuit given that Real Madrid’s big objection was financial and not sporting.
Real Madrid News
Kylian Mbappe fires back at critics over his Real Madrid role: ‘A player who scores goals will never be the problem’
Kylian Mbappe has started the new season for Real Madrid in great form, scoring five goals in five games so far.
The Frenchman has continued from where he left off last season, with seemingly no drop in his scoring rate, and he could have had one more had he not missed his penalty against Real Betis.
The 27-year-old superstar has pushed back against criticism of his contribution to Real Madrid, insisting that his goalscoring should not be treated as a problem.
Mbappe’s logic is that the fundamental objective of football is to outscore the opposition and that, therefore, goalscoring should never be seen as an issue.
As quoted by Mundo Deportivo, Mbappe addressed the issue in an interview with L’Equipe, where he spoke openly about criticism of his defensive work and the constant scrutiny associated with him.
Mbappe responds to criticism
The Madrid forward believes people have become so accustomed to his attacking production that attention naturally shifts towards what he does not provide.
“Is it normal that people forget my goals and focus on the defensive work? No, but that is the life of someone who has been close to excellence for 10 years. I am not new to this. Everyone knows what I can do,” Mbappe said.
“It is human to look at what someone does not do. When someone has been doing something for 10 years, we stop looking at it because we know he can do it, so we look at what he is not doing. I do not take it personally.”
Mbappe’s standards are so high that scoring regularly can almost be taken for granted. However, one has to remember how remarkable that consistency is.
‘A player who scores goals will never be a problem’
Mbappe was even firmer when discussing suggestions that his goals may not necessarily translate into collective success.
“It makes no sense. If I do not score goals, they are going to ask me why I am not scoring,” he said.
“As a footballer, I have learned that there are millions of coaches in every match you play, and not all of those coaches are happy. Everyone has an opinion, but in football the objective is to score more goals than the opponent.”
Then came his clearest message.
“A player who scores goals will never be the problem of a team, because no team has ever won titles without scoring goals.”
Madrid need balance, not less of Mbappe
Mbappe’s argument is difficult to dismiss.
Even if they say “attack wins you games, defence wins you tournaments”, you cannot win games unless you score goals, and you cannot win tournaments unless you win games.
Madrid can demand more collective work from every player, especially under Jose Mourinho, without pretending elite goalscoring is somehow secondary.
The real challenge is finding the right balance.
Madrid need Mbappe to remain devastating in front of goal while fitting into the team’s pressing and defensive structure. Those demands are not one or the other.
If anything, Mourinho’s task is to build a system that protects Mbappe’s greatest strength while still making Madrid harder to play against.
Mbappe’s goals are not, and never will be, the problem. The onus is on the manager to bring those strengths out in a system that also preserves the defensive structure.
