This is called a statue unbolt. In less than a season, barely six months away, Ferland Mendy has established himself as the benchmark left back for Real Madrid in front of Brazilian legend Marcelo, 31. The 24-year-old Frenchman, author of 20 games and 2 assists, has held in 6 of the last 9 La Liga games (including the highs against Barça and Atlético de Madrid) and in the 2 Super Copa games in Saudi Arabia in early January.
And if he did not play against Levante (0-1 defeat) last Saturday, it is only that he was under suspension before the clasico against Barça this Sunday. It is therefore a safe bet that the defender, passed by Le Havre and Lyon, will be on the lawn at the kick-off of the knockout round of the Champions League against Manchester City, this Wednesday, at Santiago Bernabeu. For Zinedine Zidane who campaigned for his transfer last summer for 48 million euros (+ 5 million euros in bonus), his presence on the ground is a guarantee of defensive security.
Dubbed by Sergio Ramos
In Spain, commentators believe that if Real Madrid currently has the best defense in Liga with 17 goals conceded before Atlético de Madrid (18), the White House owes much to its new defender trained in PSG. On the other side of the Pyrenees, statisticians compile the flattering figures. One among others: Real have conceded only 10 goals in all competitions each time Mendy plays and none have come on his side. And still among these 9 goals, 5 were at the start of the season (against PSG and Villarreal) when the former Lyonnais did not yet have all its marks.
"Mendy, it is a great success and it is completely fair that he is today titular," says Angel Miguel Lara, journalist at Marca. He made Madrid a much stronger defensive team. Last season the left side was a real problem. Whenever Real encountered a team, the objective for the opponent was to put a fast player in this corridor and to press where it hurt. This year it does not pass any more. And Ramos has a lot less work than when Marcelo played. He is quieter and forgets this corridor. The Madrid captain has never spoken publicly about the Frenchman's performance, but he would have dubbed him internally.
On the road to Euro 2020
"Mendy does not offensively bring what the Marcelo brought 3 or 4 years ago," says Angel Miguel Lara. This is a bit lacking because the team scores less, but Real have gained in balance what they have lost offensively. His partners praise him for his physical strength, and offered him ... a brick during the Christmas meal to refer to his solidity.
At the origin of the joke, a certain Raphaël Varane often caught joking with the young international (4 selections). “Raphaël knows what it is to leave his country early and find yourself in a foreign club. In addition Ferland is much more comfortable on the ground than with the Spanish language, so it is important for him, "said Yvan Le Mée the player's agent.
The performances of the native of Yvelines did not escape the radar of the staff of the French team. In the fight with Benjamin Mendy and Lucas Digne to assist Lucas Hernandez, Ferland Mendy is far from being dumped in the race for Euro 2020. He could even be the second Madrilenian among the Blues next to Raphaël Varane if he pursues on this rhythm.
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