Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar’s position in team at risk as Mourinho’s patience wears thin
In a season that is already starting to create doubts among Real Madrid faithful, Vinicius Jr. has perhaps been the biggest disappointment so far.
After signing a lucrative contract renewal in the summer, the Brazilian international has barely offered any returns, racking up only one goal in eight competitive matches.
And it appears his place in the side is now under genuine threat.
Mourinho’s patience wearing thin
According to MARCA, Jose Mourinho’s patience with Vinicius is reaching its limit, and that was evident in the derby defeat to Atletico Madrid.
The Brazilian was hauled off in the 54th minute after yet another underwhelming display, with Mourinho not hesitating to withdraw him. The same treatment was not handed to Kylian Mbappe, who saw out the full 90 minutes.
It marked Vinicius’ fourth consecutive substitution, following his withdrawals against Inter Milan, Rayo Vallecano and Elche.
Having earlier tried to carefully balance the minutes of both Vinicius and Mbappe to avoid any friction, Mourinho now appears to have abandoned that approach where the Brazilian is concerned.
Mbappe has played seven full matches to Vinicius’ three, while the Frenchman has clocked 720 minutes to the Brazilian’s 652.
A worrying drop-off
While Mbappe has scored eight goals in eight games, Vinicius has managed just one goal and three assists, along with a penalty he won against Real Betis.
That leaves him as only the fifth-highest scorer at the club, behind Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Carlos Espi.
Perhaps most alarming is that Espi, in just 26 minutes of football, has already bettered Vinicius’ goal tally across his five appearances.
For a player who signed a big-money renewal in the summer, and who was once a Ballon d’Or contender, it represents a stark fall from grace.
With Real Madrid five points adrift of Barcelona and Mourinho demanding more, Vinicius now faces a fight to reclaim his place in the starting eleven.
Unless his form improves quickly, the Brazilian risks becoming a peripheral figure in a season that is already threatening to slip away from Los Blancos.
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.
