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From hero to zero: Endrick's loan turns sour as Real Madrid ace faces 'heavy criticism'
Tom Weber
- Updated: 11 Mar 2026 13:58 GMT
- 5 min read
News
Chelsea target Endrick has seen his promising loan spell at Lyon turn sour, resulting in fierce criticism of the Real Madrid youngster.
The 19-year-old left the Spanish capital in the January transfer window after falling out of favour under then-coach Xabi Alonso. Endrick had missed most of pre-season due to injury and was thus playing catch-up in the early stages of the campaign.
Though Alonso was sacked in January, Endrick had already departed Real Madrid by that point. In fact, so limited were his minutes under Alonso that it was established as early as October that he would leave the LaLiga giants in the winter.
Current ETV
Endrick
F (C)
Lyon
Endrick
F (C)
Lyon
ETV Range
€32.3M - €39.5M
Endrick joined Ligue 1 side Lyon on a straight six-month loan after the French outfit had spent much of the first half of the season without a recognised No.9. The Brazilian was an obvious fit for the seven-time national champions.
This certainly held true in his first few games. Endrick hit like a bomb in Lyon, scoring five times and recording a pair of assists in his first five appearances in France. Since then, however, he has found it more difficult.
Endrick faces 'heavy criticism'
Endrick has now gone five games without scoring, while also missing a game through suspension after receiving two yellow cards in a 1-0 win over Nantes in early February. He has not found the back of the net in the league since netting a hat-trick against Metz on 25 January.
He did record two assists in the Olympico against Marseille two weeks ago, but it wasn't enough to prevent a 3-2 defeat. In general, Lyon appear to have run out of steam in recent games.
They have not won since mid-February and only ended a three-game losing run with a 1-1 draw against Paris FC at the weekend, a match in which Endrick only played 25 minutes.
The young striker has gone from hero to zero for Lyon. While his decision-making was not an issue when everything he touched turned to gold, it has become a stick to beat him with now that things seemingly won't come off for him anymore.
The wonderkid has been lambasted in the French press for being too selfish and for making the wrong choices when Lyon create goal-scoring opportunities. This "heavy and unfair" scrutiny has now prompted head coach Paulo Fonseca to jump to his defence.
"He is only 19," Fonseca began. "You expect a lot from him. Endrick spent over a year without playing, and now he is playing almost every match. "He played on the right when he arrived, but it was hard to make him understand the best option when going in behind.
"He always wants the ball, but we also want him to go in behind. When he scores, the evaluation is very positive, but when he doesn’t score, [the criticism] is very heavy and unfair."
It is certainly true that Endrick shouldn't be expected to be a world-beater in every game at 19 years of age. However, with a World Cup on the horizon and his Real Madrid future on the line, he needs to find his mojo again quickly.
Potential suitors are lurking, too. Chelsea have been scouting the youngster, and if he continues to struggle, Real Madrid may be more inclined to sell him.
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