Carlo Ancelotti hopes to recover very soon Ferland Mendy (26 years). The French, who has not yet debuted this season due to physical problems, has completed training at a good level during the national team break. It seems that the various discomforts are beginning to lag behind, although the white team’s technical and medical staff prefer to be cautious. Their situation is delicate and they do not want annoyance to reappear by rushing.
Mendy’s return to the group is a breath of fresh air for Carletto, who sees in the former Lyon a fundamental piece within the style of play that he intends to implement. Before starting work, I already counted on him as an important footballer in the system. His physical capacity and his intensity in the robbery can be of great help in the defensive transitions that so many headaches are giving the manager. Also in the advance pressure that worked so badly against Inter in the first half or against Villarreal at the Bernabéu, to give two examples.
With his return, Madrid not only reinforces the left side, the Frenchman’s natural position. Also the right where Ancelotti, due to Carvajal’s injury, was only counting on Lucas Vázquez. He tested Valverde as a defender, but it was a patch that didn’t work. With the return of Mendy, the coach now has the alternative of putting Nacho on the right to give the team a better defensive balance. The youth squad already played in that position against the Sheriff and will do so more often in the next games.
Another option that Carlo has with Mendy is to use him as a center-back. In fact, the Italian sees in him a player with the capabilities to occupy the center of the rear. This would allow Alaba to rest or play with the Austrian as a winger, taking advantage of his ability to center and join the rival area. It also allows for a defense with three centrals, in which Mendy would act on the left side, something he already did with Zidane in some games last season.
Whatever position you are, you are expected with open arms. The defense of Madrid is making waters, it needs solutions and Mendy can be an ideal. As soon as he can play again, he will add many minutes of white. The only question is whether his last injury will allow him to have the necessary regularity.