Endrick makes his case for El Clásico after first LaLiga start with Real Madrid

Endrick used his first LaLiga start to make a serious push for a place in El Clásico. José Mourinho named him in the starting eleven as Real Madrid hosted Sevilla at the Bernabéu, and the Brazilian responded with an energetic display: 69 minutes, three shots and 11 completed passes. His performance leaves open the key question of who will play on the flank vacated by Vinicius in the next league match against Barcelona.

Endrick's first LaLiga start follows his Champions League MVP display

The reward for his performance against Roma in the Champions League came quickly. Mourinho, who had praised his impact from the bench during the European comeback, decided to give him a starting role against the Andalusian side. Before that match, Endrick had played only 35 minutes across the first ten games of the season in LaLiga and the Champions League combined. Against Sevilla he nearly doubled that figure in a single afternoon.

He was Mourinho's first substitution, with Brahim Díaz replacing him. Until then, the young forward had appeared in just two matches, contributing one goal and one assist. He could not add to those numbers against Sevilla, but once again showed real self-belief, attempting an overhead kick just before half-time that went wide.

A different role for the Brazilian forward

Without the avalanche of attacking football that Mourinho described after the closing minutes against Roma, Endrick had slightly less involvement from the right wing. Real Madrid looked for more control in midfield with Güler and Tchouaméni operating as a double pivot. Even so, the Brazilian did his job in a role very different from the impact substitute he has often been.

His start against Sevilla is the first real hint of Mourinho's thinking ahead of El Clásico. The Portuguese coach must decide who fills the role that would normally belong to Vinicius, suspended in LaLiga, and Endrick has now firmly entered that conversation.

The fight for Real Madrid's attacking spots before El Clásico

Competition is fierce for the four attacking places at Real Madrid, and almost every candidate has made good use of their opportunities. Bellingham and Mbappé look close to untouchable. The Frenchman has played every minute of the season except the final stretch of the European opener against Inter Milan and the last five minutes against Sevilla, just after scoring a brace. The Englishman is also among the players with the most accumulated minutes in the squad.

Yan Diomande establishes himself on the left wing

Everything points to the left wing belonging to Yan Diomande. The Ivorian initially struggled to convince Mourinho to start him and did not appear in a Real Madrid starting eleven until the match against Rayo Vallecano. Since then he has grown in importance and responded with two goals and three assists, making him close to a certain starter for El Clásico.

Carlos Espí and Brahim Díaz remain in contention

Alongside Endrick, the other contenders to complete the forward line are Carlos Espí and Brahim Díaz. The Spanish striker has become a reliable option for Mourinho when a comeback is needed, and he looks set to continue in that role. His main obstacle to a starting spot, as the Portuguese coach has repeatedly said, is Kylian Mbappé.

Brahim, meanwhile, began the season with a relevant role and plenty of minutes against Real Sociedad and Inter, but his influence has faded as the weeks have passed. He featured again against Sevilla, although that did not alter the pecking order that appears to be forming.

The general feeling is that Endrick will not keep his starting place for Real Madrid's next match, against Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday 21 October. Mourinho had already suggested before the Sevilla game that he could almost guarantee Vinicius would start in Europe, the only competition the Brazilian can play while serving his four-match LaLiga suspension. After the match he confirmed that decision, adding that the Champions League would serve as motivation for Vinicius.