Real Madrid: 3 players who need to step up following Sergio Ramos’ injury

3. Ferland Mendy

There is no surprise that with the Captain sidelined, the responsibility will fall back to the remaining defensive players. Ferland Mendy has indeed been prioritizing his attacking abilities lately. But, the situation right now calls for his defensive duties for the club.

Leaving him aside, Real Madrid is left with only Eder Militao, and let’s face it, he is less experienced and has hardly had any decent game time in the last matches. He replaced Sergio Ramos in their UCL Round of 16 second-leg against Atalanta and that is the only time he featured since the 30th of January, per Whoscored.

As such, Ferland Mendy would be a better call for Zidane. Especially if he is planning on using Lucas Vasquez at the back. Lucas is bound to advance down the flanks and invest more in buildup plays, given that he is a natural forward. Mendy’s job hence would be to back up and play the role he is primarily trusted with- to defend.

Mendy’s record this season has been good. He has 33 appearances for the club in all competitions and has maintained a passing accuracy of nearly 90%. His chores defensively has been decent too, averaging nearly or over one in all sorts of defensive interventions including tackles and clearances, per Whoscored.

The upcoming matches will demand a lot more from him and it is understandable for him to try his luck in the attack. But, if Zidane sticks with playing four players in the backline with Vasquez and him alongside the central defenders then the onus would be more on him among the two, to back his defensive duties.