Cliffhanger at the Bernabéu: Real Madrid's No. 9 Dilemma Sparks January Loan Talks

No. 9 Race at the Bernabéu: A Marathon in Madrid

Real Madrid's forwards are chasing minutes and opportunities behind Kylian Mbappé, and the No. 9 role has become a long, winding chase for Gonzalo Garcia and Endrick, waiting for a decisive chance that seems perpetually out of reach.

According to The Daily Mail, Brighton & Hove Albion and several other Premier League clubs are closely watching the Spaniard's situation, awaiting Madrid's decision on a potential January loan.

Garcia, a 21-year-old academy graduate, is torn between persuading coach Xabi Alonso to trust him at the Bernabéu and finding the minutes he has been denied this season to continue his development.

Last season, his World Club Cup run in the United States highlighted his potential, with four goals and an assist in six matches, making him one of the tournament's standout performers.

This season, however, he has managed only 105 minutes in nine appearances, a few flashes that haven't yet convinced Madrid to fully trust him, even as his contract runs to 2030.

While Mbappé remains the focal point, the team has suffered without him, failing to score in two straight games for the first time since May 2023, with losses at Anfield in the Champions League and Vallecano in La Liga. Advanced stats show 0.45 expected goals at Anfield and 0.8 at Vallecano, underscoring the reliance on the Frenchman.

Among substitutes, neither Garcia nor Endrick has had a real chance, with the usual option being Rodrygo coming on in place of Diaz instead of Ibrahim Diaz.

As for minutes, Garcia has logged 105 minutes this season, roughly 7 percent of total playing time, including a decisive assist earlier in the campaign and a start against Espanyol. He also shines at youth level with the Spain under 21 team.

Madrid currently leads La Liga with 31 points from 12 games, 10 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat, scoring 26 and conceding 10, three points ahead of Barcelona.

The schedule now features four straight away games: Elche in La Liga, Olympiakos in the Champions League, then a trip to Girona and finally to Athletic Bilbao in December.

The Wider Context: Endrick, Loans, and the January Window

In the pre-break press conference after the Vallecano match, Alonso commented on Endrick and Garcia, noting that other forwards on the field could also create dangerous chances, not just those two.

AS reports that Mbappé accounts for 52.9 percent of Madrid's goals this season, 18 from 34 in total, underscoring the heavy dependence on the French star. Without Mbappé, the attacking machine has stalled, including back-to-back goalless results and modest xG figures of 0.45 at Anfield and 0.8 against Vallecano.

Looking at the substitutes, neither Garcia nor Endrick has had a real breakthrough, with Rodrygo often replacing Diaz rather than granting more minutes to the youngsters.

All that points to a recurring pattern this season: Garcia shone in the World Cup but has not fully translated that form to Madrid, despite the club renewing his contract. AS notes he has only 105 minutes this term, with limited opportunities to prove himself, although his Spain U21 performances show flashes of potential.

Real Madrid currently sit top of La Liga with 31 points from 12 rounds, 10 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat, having scored 26 and conceded 10, three points ahead of Barcelona.

The team faces four away fixtures in a row: Elche in La Liga this Sunday, Olympiakos in the Champions League midweek, then a trip to Girona on November 30, and finally a visit to Athletic Bilbao on December 3.

In summary, the No. 9 puzzle at Real Madrid remains unresolved as January looms, with the club weighing Endrick and Garcia against a Mbappé-led attack and a demanding schedule.

AS highlights that Garcia has 105 minutes this season, while his European adventure with the U21s and his recent club form keep him in the conversation about Madrid's forward options.

Punchline 1: If goals were a loyalty program, Madrid would have a few million points but still not enough to redeem a true No. 9 right now.

Punchline 2: In Madrid, even the substitutes come with performance reviews—only this time the salary cap is Sarcasm and the KPI is if the bench warms up or not.