Madrid (AFP)
The luck of his career? A week before the end of the La Liga and a month before the European deadlines, Ferland Mendy explodes in the left hallway of Real Madrid during the injury of Marcelo, his competitor at the post.
This peak of form comes at the right time: the leader of La Liga moves to Granada on Monday, for the 36th day, and is only two victories away from removing his sworn enemy, Barça, from his national crown.
Since the recovery, the French left side (25 years, 4 selections with the Blues) shines more and more, to the point of making forget the absence of the aging Brazilian Marcelo (32 years), injured in the left adductor.
Real were deprived of many defensive executives against Alavés on Saturday evening (Ramos and Carvajal suspended, Nacho and Marcelo injured), but Mendy took responsibility. The ex-Lyonnais won almost all his defense duels, still relying on his above average physical qualities, and thus allowed Real to chain a fifth match in a row without conceding a single goal.
He especially radiated by his attacking contribution, his sharp runs and his transverse calls to the opposing penalty area, which allowed him to cause the penalty transformed by his compatriot Karim Benzema (11th).
- "Good news" -
Arrived at the "White House" in July 2019 for six years and 48 M EUR, Ferland Mendy is still often thrilled by his teammates for his approximate Spanish. But when he speaks on the ground, he makes everyone agree. Like Saturday, where he signed his best game at the Merengues.
"We are happy with his performance, with what he is doing. It is a first year for him (at Real), he is at the level and that is the good news. He came here to show his qualities, that’s what he’s doing, and we’re all happy with his performance, "coach Zinedine Zidane said in a post-match press conference on Saturday evening.
"Zizou" was the great architect of the coming of the former Le Havres to Real last summer. While Marcelo (23 matches, including 21 as the titular player this season, all competitions combined) continues to play his role as dynamiter in the left lane, Zidane wanted to import the youth and stability of Mendy (28 matches including 21 as the titular, all competitions).
"I say it today, we must stop comparing him to Marcelo. Marcelo is Marcelo, and Mendy is Mendy. He is a good player, he has his future ahead of him, he is in a big club and his club is proud of him, "clarified Zidane on Sunday at a pre-match press conference, tired of questions about the Frenchman's comparison with the Brazilian.
- "It doesn't surprise me" -
While the Spanish press and Real fans were skeptical about this unknown recruit in Spain last summer, all are now conquered by the "surprise" Mendy.
"Mendy gave us a lot of depth. In the first period, he made two or three very dangerous actions. His commitment and that of the whole team and unmistakable," complimented the director of institutional relations and former glory of Real Madrid, Emilio Butragueño, Saturday evening after the Merengues' victory.
"Me, he does not surprise me. His recruitment had been carried out on a request from me, yes, but in agreement with the club, as always. He is young, he has talent, he has something (more) and he's proving it, "said Zidane on Sunday.
© 2020 AFP