Real Madrid: 3 players who must step up with Marcelo out for the season

LB Ferland Mendy

Let’s start with the obvious, and that’s left back Ferland Mendy, who will receive nearly as much playing time as Dani Carvajal on the other side of the formation. Carvajal has become of paramount importance to Real since Alvaro Odriozola was loaned to Bayern Munich, as he’s the lone right back in the squad.

Now, Mendy is also the lone fullback on his side, so he’ll have that same importance. Both Carvajal and Mendy have been world-class this season, and they’ve been a key part of one of the best defenses in Europe.

It’s so impressive how good Mendy is defensively. Opponents can scarcely run at the former Lyong star. Per WhoScored.com, Mendy has been dribbled against just 0.2 times per game this season, making him one of the most effective defensive fullbacks in Europe’s top five leagues.

A calm tackler and great reader of the game to stop passes in their tracks, Mendy also works hard in the attack to take on defenders and move the ball up the pitch. He’ll need to really step up on the offensive end without Marcelo, because that’s one area in which Marcelo has been significantly better. That said, look no further than Mendy’s game-winning assist in El Derbi to see what he can do at his best on the attacking end.