Real Madrid News
Real Madrid want to sell €25m-rated defender, Ancelotti prefers to keep him
According to reports from SER (h/t Madrid Xtra), Carlo Ancelotti would prefer for Ferland Mendy to stay at Real Madrid for the 2023-24 campaign. The Italian tactician does not want the events of last season to repeat and sees the Frenchman as an able backup if anything were to happen to the new left-back, Fran Garcia.
Unsurprisingly, the club do not concur. Real Madrid prefer to sell the player and recoup funds into their coffers. The administration do not trust his fitness, for he has faced recurrent setbacks over the past season.
Mendy, for his part, wants to stay at the club and fight for a starting spot, and is even hoping to sign a new contract. The three parties involved have three different evaluations of the situation and it remains to be seen who triumphs.
Last season, Ancelotti had only the Frenchman to count on as a natural left-back. Given his fitness woes, however, Eduardo Camavinga was forced to take up responsibilities in defence to cover the gaping hole.
The youngster did a phenomenal job in the estranged position. However, the coach sees him as a starting midfielder for the new campaign and thus does not want to risk a situation where Camavinga would be forced to play at left-back once more.
A lot, needless to say, will depend on Fran Garcia’s showing in pre-season. If the Spaniard maintains his form from Rayo Vallecano, Mendy could well move as per the club’s wishes.
If Garcia puts in a mediocre shift, however, there would be worry in the offices at the Santiago Bernabeu. In such a situation, Ancelotti would have to cover with Mendy for the coming campaign, for a new signing does not appear likely.
Come 2024, Real Madrid will look to sign Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies. The young Canadian full-back is one of world football’s most promising talents, and is even said to be amongst the three players Real Madrid feel compelled to sign for their future.
There just does not appear to be any respite from injuries for Real Madrid.
Just when it appeared that they were close to having their full squad – barring the two long-term absentees – the Merengues have been struck down by fresh injuries this week.
Arda Guler, who was on the cusp of being named in the squad for the Las Palmas clash, injured himself in training on Tuesday.
And now, during the game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid have lost key defender David Alaba to an injury.
Close to the 40th-minute mark, Alaba went down on the ground clutching his leg and appeared to be in quite a bit of discomfort.
Soon enough, the medical staff arrived to take a look at the Austrian and seconds later he was off the pitch and straight towards the tunnel.
Lucas Vazquez came on to replace the injured Alaba, with Nacho Fernandez moving into the centre-back position alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Alaba’s injury leaves Carlo Ancelotti with just two fit centre-backs in Rudiger and Nacho, which is set to be a matter of great concern.
The hope will be that Alaba’s condition is nothing serious and that he is able to mount a quick recovery.
