Real Madrid News
Real Madrid star could make senior Spain debut after stunning five-goal U21 performance
Carlos Espi is living the life most young players would dream of. He secured a move to Real Madrid from Levante in the summer.
He scored on his La Liga debut for his new team against Espanyol, helping them secure all three points, and has made the most of the limited minutes he has been given.
His good form earned him a call-up to the Spain Under-21 side, where he scored five and assisted two on his first start against San Marino Under-21s.
This performance has now put him in contention to make his senior Spain debut, replacing the injured Ferran Torres.
Sometimes, when the stars align, they align too perfectly to be believable. In Espi’s case, it has been a fairytale.
Espi admits his life has changed
Speaking to El Chiringuito after his sudden promotion, the Real Madrid youngster admitted the speed of his rise has been difficult to process.
“My life has completely changed,” Espi said.
It is easy to understand why. Less than 24 hours after describing that Under-21 performance as a “special night,” Espi finds himself potentially one appearance away from becoming a senior Spain international.
The opposition, San Marino, naturally has to be considered, but Espi has repeatedly made the most of extremely limited opportunities this season.
Jose Mourinho has used him for only 26 minutes across Real Madrid’s opening eight matches, yet the striker has already scored twice.
His late goals against Espanyol and Elche directly helped Madrid collect four points. The pattern is becoming difficult to ignore.
A pattern is beginning to emerge
Espi does not need many touches or extended spells of possession to influence matches. His penalty-box movement and instinct for scoring goals have made him an effective option from the bench.
A senior Spain debut would represent an extraordinary rise to fame for a player who entered this international break with only one Under-21 appearance.
It would also provide Mourinho with another reason to consider giving Espi greater responsibility at Madrid.
The presence of Kylian Mbappe means Espi is unlikely to be a starter for Los Blancos. What he can do, however, is make every performance count.
Whether they come with Los Blancos, Spain Under-21s or the senior La Roja team, that is exactly what he is doing, and it remains to be seen how Espi fares for Luis de la Fuente’s team.
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
