After the blow of the Club World Cup in Real Madrid‘s debut against Al Hilal, bad news seems to be piling up for the Whites. Xabi Alonso’s debut did not go as expected, and what was seen on the pitch did not bring anything new to a team that continues to have the same weaknesses. One of these is at left-back, where Fran García continues to underwhelm, Álvaro Carreras has yet to sign, and Ferland Mendy is still recovering from an injury that looks set to cause more problems than anticipated.
Mendy’s injury
Injuries have had a major impact on Real Madrid’s season, and one of the main victims has been Ferland Mendy, who has spent more time in the infirmary than on the pitch. The full-back returned from injury in the Copa del Rey final, and Carlo Ancelotti pushed him hard due to his lack of confidence in Fran García. The Frenchman lasted just eight minutes on the pitch.
A relapse that brought with it a medical report that read as follows: “After tests carried out on our player Ferland Mendy by Real Madrid’s medical services, he has been diagnosed with a rupture of the proximal tendon of the rectus femoris in his right quadriceps. Pending further evaluation.” The left-back underwent surgery and continues to recover from an injury that was known to rule him out of the Club World Cup, but which looks set to be worse.
A return date that causes concern
Initially, when the official medical report was issued, it pointed to a couple of months out of action. However, the recovery time will now be longer than expected.
According to MARCA, Mendy has suffered a setback in his recovery, which delays his return date. For the player to return to full fitness, it will be necessary to wait until well into October. This delay in his recovery is of great concern to the Whites, as with the delay in the signing of Carreras and the possible departure of Fran García, the French full-back is needed more than ever.
The situation with Álvaro Carreras is on hold. No agreement was reached with Benfica ahead of the Club World Cup, as the Portuguese side did not budge on the €50 million release clause. Now they will wait until the end of the tournament to resume talks, but with the complication of Mendy’s injury, everything points to Real Madrid having to loosen their purse strings.
This is even more so considering that Fran García is not convincing and everything points to him leaving this summer. The player has a contract until 2027 and Real Madrid will have to make a decision in the coming weeks, in which Xabi Alonso will have a lot to say. Time will tell, but the truth is that the player has suitors and the Whites would not mind opening the door for him and receiving around $15 million for his departure.