'I don't care whether someone is 18 or 40' - Carlo Ancelotti tells Endrick and Arda Guler to earn their place at Real Madrid

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti talked about the lack of opportunities for Endrick and Arda Guler, asserting that he isn't against handing minutes to the young duo. In spite of the mounting injury list in recent months, Ancelotti has used both Endrick and Guler sparingly over the course of the season.

Guler arrived at Real Madrid in 2023, but the first half of his debut season at his new club was marred by injuries. At the end of the season, he scored six goals in as many LaLiga appearances, before putting on sensational performances for Turkey at the EURO 2024. It was widely expected that the young Turk would get a more prominent role in his second season, but that has not been the case. On the other hand, Endrick announced his arrival from Brazil with a bang as he scored on both his LaLiga and Champions League debuts.

Despite their positive cameos off the bench, Ancelotti has been reluctant to use the teenage pair more often. Even if Guler has started a few games here and there, the amount of injuries Madrid have suffered in the first four months of the campaign should have opened up more minutes for Endrick and Guler.

"Endrick is staying here, as is Guler. They may need more minutes, but I'm not prejudiced against anyone," Ancelotti said at a press conference, addressing reports of potential loan moves for the duo.

"I just try to put the best players in every game. I don't care whether someone is 18 or 40. Sometimes it can be like that with Endrick, with Guler or without them. You have to be patient with the youngsters. They bring enthusiasm but, because they are young, they also have to learn certain things. I'm not prejudiced against youngsters: in my career I've put 17 or 18-year-olds in if I thought they were the right ones to play the games."

With two wins and three losses from their opening give games in the Champions League group stage this season, Los Blancos unexpectedly face a challenge to finish in the top 24. Their next assignment is against one of the most in-form teams in Europe at the moment, Atalanta, who are also at the top of the Serie A table after 15 games. The match will take place on Tuesday, December 10, at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.