For years now, when Carlo Ancelotti writes the names of the starters on the slate when making his team composition, the name of Ferland Mendy is one of the first names written by the Italian. If he is regularly criticized by Madrid public opinion, in particular because of an offensive contribution which would be insufficient, the former Olympique Lyonnais is untouchable in the eyes of the transalpine tactician. The latter adores the Frenchman’s defensive qualities, which notably allows him to compensate for the defensive shortcomings of certain offensive players in the team.
A safe bet for Ancelotti, but it is clear that in recent weeks, things have become a little complicated for the Frenchman. Heavily criticized against Barça, then against Liverpool after the break, Mendy lost importance in the team. For example, he attended the last three championship matches from the sidelines, thus having to contemplate the good performances of Fran Garcia from the sidelines. The Spanish full-back is performing quite well, and the results in the domestic championship are good, giving Ancelotti no reason to send him back to the sidelines. The Madrilenians have not lost any match with Garcia as a starter.
Fran Garcia responds
As indicated RelevoAncelotti is aware that Mendy is not going through his best moment on a sporting level. It is therefore a sort of sanction that he inflicts on the French player, to remobilize him and make him understand that he must find his level. While continuing to hold him in great esteem… The proof, at a press conference, after the victory against Getafe, when he was questioned about Fran Garcia, the Italian automatically mentioned the Frenchman: “we have another full-back, with whom we won two Champions Leagues. In certain matches, Fran, who is offensive, can help us more. But Mendy remains a fantastic full-back”.
Even if this little ear pulling in the form of being placed on the bench begins to continue, Ancelotti has no doubt: in his eyes, Ferland Mendy remains the starter. Very respectful of hierarchies and not used to shaking them up during the season, Ancelotti always sees Mendy as the starter during big matches. He tries to comfort him and support him so that he can once again become the Ferland Mendy of the big European evenings in Madrid. But Ancelotti’s patience has limits, obviously. This Wednesday, during the La Liga clash against Athletic, Ferland Mendy should therefore find the starting eleven. A non-tenure would clearly be a bad sign and would mark a – negative – turning point in the Frenchman’s Merengue adventure…
