Bench-warmer Endrick must leave Real Madrid on loan in January or risk derailing his rapid development - Brazil's next superstar deserves more than 170 measly minutes

It's hard to outline what, exactly, would be considered a success for Endrick - especially in the early days of his Madrid career. After all, in such a busy dressing room that also included attacking mavericks such as Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham, bench minutes was always going to be the most likely outcome.

In the early goings, he made the most of it. Endrick only got five minutes in his Blancos debut - against Valladolid on August 25 - but impressed immediately. He was a livewire from the second he entered the pitch, all energy and pressing. And, accordingly, he got his reward. Five touches - one to control the ball, three to turn and cut in, and a final one to shoot - secured a fine debut goal. Yes, the goalkeeper probably should have saved it, but it didn't really matter. Endrick had arrived.

What followed was a series of interesting appearances off the bench. His introduction allowed for a late rest for Rodrygo, Mbappe or Vinicius, and stretched opposition defences late on. He needed 12 minutes of electric football to get off five shots - and was good value for his Brazil call-up for the September international break.

That was only backed up, a month later, by a well-taken goal against Stuttgart to help secure a 3-1 Champions League win. The kid had arrived.

But then something happened. Endrick's energy was never lacking, but the fluidity on the ball went missing. That elegant first touch and sharp movement wasn't quite there. Passes were misplaced, and confidence dropped as a result. He played in matchweeks six, seven and eight for Madrid, but then found himself benched for long stretches.

It took, in fact, almost six weeks for the Brazilian to be reintroduced to La Liga - despite no apparent long-term injury enforcing his absence from the team. Something was wrong. Carlo Ancelotti insisted that these were the growing pains of a young player, and that Mbappe, Vinicius and Bellingham needed time to gel. There was the further complication that Rodrygo - a world-class talent in his own right - was struggling for minutes. How was Endrick supposed to get into that team?

It is an odd thing that Ancelotti chooses to complain about Madrid's depth. Sure, they are short-handed in defence - and now look misguided in their refusal to bring in a centre-back last summer. but they are blessed with a wealth of attacking talent. It's not just the front three, or the fact that they are often forced to bench Rodrygo. Brahim Diaz (excellent) and Arda Guler (promising) have also shown that they deserve minutes in their own right.

Even Luka Modric, used in a more advanced position when Madrid switch to a 4-4-2 diamond, has cut into Endrick's minutes. Zoom out, and he can have very few complaints. There is just too much quality here for him to expect to walk into the side.

And perhaps that's the broader question to be asked; was this ever really a good idea? Sure, it made tons of sense when Madrid brought in Vinicius in a similar big-money move. They had depth on the wing at the time, and the Brazilian would always get time to develop in the youth sides. He was also far more raw. There was no rush here. And although he faced plenty of criticism, Madrid managed his minutes well - and hid him from the spotlight when needed.

Endrick, though, arrived in Spain a more complete talent - and with higher expectations. Vinicius is, in a roundabout way, partially to blame. There was always going to be the need for the next great Brazilian. Endrick seemed to be that. But there was talk of a loan move for some time, both when he initially signed in December 2022, and last summer, when it became clear that Los Blancos were going to bring in Mbappe. Whether that was an extra season in Palmeiras or even a spell at another European club, it might have been shrewd to ship him back out.

Predictably, more rumours have cropped up. This time, though, they're a bit weird - or at least some of them are. Roma appeared as a potential interested party in early November. That would, in many ways, make sense. Here is a struggling mid-table Italian club, which could do with a shot in the arm to get their season on track. He might not start there, but there would certainly be more minutes. And for Roma, it's the kind of low-risk, high-reward decision that would sell a few shirts, too.

More recently, though, things have become confusing. Relegation-threatened Southampton are reportedly in the mix, and you'd struggle to find a Premier League side that would offer fewer goalscoring opportunities for him. Real Valladolid, too, have expressed interest, although the reports might just be linked to the fact that Brazil legend Ronaldo is a part owner of the club. Either way, these are all indications that Endrick could be on his way out - at least on a temporary basis.

It is admittedly odd, then, to claim that an 18-year-old, who has only been at a club for six months, is at something of a crossroads. Endrick is clearly a good footballer, and could yet become an excellent one. Madrid is also a dangerous place for young players - and there was always going to be an adjustment period.

But what couldn't have been predicted is just how few minutes he would get. Perhaps the best policy, then, is a temporary move away. Endrick really shouldn't have joined Madrid in the first place. There was no spot for him, and although Los Blancos have the money to throw at youngsters of his calibre, he is too young to succeed there just yet.

Exactly what happens now, though, is tough to figure out. Madrid don't do loans - especially for young players. A look at their transfer activity suggests that they prefer to either send talents down to their youth sides, or sell them off with a friendly buy-back clause. Either is a bit of a PR nightmare. An eight-figure footballer, hailed as the saviour of Brazilian football, playing in a reserve side isn't really a good look. Neither is a sale to a mid-table club - even if Madrid can purchase him back on the cheap. It leaves Los Blancos with a difficult decision. Either let a player rot, or loan him somewhere to develop. The latter is the only choice that benefits Endrick.