Amid heavy criticism this season, one of the problems Carlo Ancelotti's opponents had with him was the lack of opportunities for young players. Despite strong cameos, Arda Guler and Endrick Felipe were rarely used, while Castilla defender Raul Asencio was again benched by Aurelien Tchouameni this weekend.
There have been recurring rumors that Endrick could be loaned out in search of more opportunities, but these rumors have been debunked time and time again. Ancelotti did so again, explaining why Guler and Endrick were only seen in small doses.
'Endrick stays here, just like Guler. They may need more minutes, but I have no prejudice against anyone. I try to field only the best team in every match, whether they are 18 or 40 years old. Sometimes this can be with Endrick, with Guler or without them.”
“You have to be patient with young people, yes. They bring enthusiasm, but because they are young, they also have to learn certain things. I have no prejudices about young people: in my career I have played against people who were 17 or 18 years old, when I thought they were ideal to play the games.”
Following their damaging defeats to Barcelona and AC Milan, president Florentino Perez is said to have pushed for more opportunities for the young pair. Ancelotti has said in the past that his job is to win games, not to give blood to youngsters. Since those losses, Guler has played 288 minutes, more than half his total, in six games, up from 16 games before that. Real Madrid will take on Atalanta in Bergamo on Tuesday evening at 9 p.m.
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