Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has been receiving a lot of criticism as of late. He might be out of this job and onto the next one soon, as Real Madrid look towards Xabi Alonso as the long-term replacement for the Italian legend.
But, if there is one thing you do, it is respect Carlo and listen to him. He has been in the game for longer than many current Real Madrid players' lifetime.
He went on an unusual rampage against Endrick after Real Madrid's 1-0 win against Getafe on Wednesday night. Endrick had two great chances to score, but one of them he fluffed by a failed attempt to chip the goalkeeper. He also saw the grass a lot and was consistently complaining about things.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti criticised Endrick for his immature miss, and he was right
There are things that he needs to improve to succeed at Real Madrid, and Ancelotti made it clear just what he needs to work on.
After the match, Ancelotti said: "He [Endrick] had two chances, yes. The first one he couldn’t have done better and the second one, it could have been offside. It could have been. But, effectively, he can’t do these things. He is young and must learn. He has to play as hard as possible, not play for the theatre. The drama club doesn’t exist in football.”
This is fair criticism. Endrick should have buried that chance regardless of whether he thought it was offside or not. The most basic thing that players are taught in their formative years is to play to the whistle.
There is also another possibility that he was playing to the whistle, and the chip was the best idea he could have thought of. That would explain the second half of Ancelotti's quotes. There was simply no need for that chip, and in another scenario, it could have cost Real Madrid three crucial points in their league title race.
Endrick is a brilliant talent. He has got talent in his veins for days. He will be successful for sure. He has the tools for it in a physical sense, and he has the ability as well. What's missing is the mentality. He needs to have the mentality of a top player.
Age is obviously a factor, but there are plenty of young players like him in the world who are doing really well in that regard. Endrick can too - Ancelotti certainly thinks so - it is all a matter of mentality.