Milan’s search for a right-sided attacking midfielder in the summer led them first to Endrick, before a proposed loan move was blocked by Mourinho and the club eventually brought in Hutchinson. As the season develops, however, Endrick remains a useful reference point for the kind of forward Milan have been seeking: a player able to operate between the lines, threaten goal from the right and offer a different profile to Gonçalo Ramos.
Key takeaways
- Endrick was Milan’s leading option in July and August while Amorim looked for a right-sided attacking player.
- Mourinho did not approve the Brazilian’s loan to Milan, after which the Rossoneri completed a temporary deal for Hutchinson.
- Hutchinson has had limited involvement so far, while several players have been rotated behind Ramos.
- Endrick’s most natural role would be on the centre-right, where he can move inside onto his left foot or play a final pass.
- He could also be used as a central striker, particularly when Milan need runs in behind rather than link-up play.
A missing profile behind Ramos
Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 has asked Milan to find solutions in the two positions behind Ramos. On the right, Loftus-Cheek, Rabiot and Pulisic have each been used; Cissé, Saelemaekers and Moreira have featured on the other side. Hutchinson, the player recruited after Endrick’s loan was ruled out, has not yet become a regular option.
Endrick’s appeal is tied to the right-sided role in that system. He is suited to receiving in the spaces between midfield and defence, driving into central areas and either shooting with his left foot or seeking a through ball. It is a position that would allow him to approach the penalty area facing goal rather than being asked to remain wide.
He could also play through the middle, though not as a like-for-like replacement for Ramos. Where Ramos can offer lay-offs and movements towards the ball, Endrick is more naturally inclined to attack space beyond the defensive line, using his pace and the service of the two attacking midfielders behind him.
How a back four could change the picture
Milan’s more frequent use of a four-man defence against Lecce, with Gila at right-back and Estupinan on the left, opened further possibilities. Should Amorim retain that adjustment, the squad could move towards a 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-2-1, each offering Endrick a slightly different task.
In a 4-4-2, he could work as the second forward, largely occupying the right channel before cutting inside. He could lead the line as well, although that would reduce the physical presence of the attack.
The 4-2-3-1 presents the more attacking alternative. Endrick could start on the right, with Moreira on the opposite flank and Pulisic operating behind Ramos. Such a selection would require considerable discipline from the double pivot, potentially Rabiot alongside either Modric or Musah, but it would put substantial technical quality on the pitch.
With Endrick, Pulisic, Moreira and Ramos together, Milan would have a forward group capable of changing the rhythm of a home match or providing a more ambitious option during a game. It would not necessarily be a shape to use every week, yet it could suit particular opponents and situations.
In a 4-3-2-1, Endrick would again begin between the lines on the centre-right, close to the role envisaged in the 3-4-2-1. His previous experience on the left of an attacking line is less persuasive: he is not at his best when required to hold a wide position in a 4-2-3-1, and on the centre-left in Amorim’s preferred shape he has less opportunity to receive and strike on his left foot.
