Real Madrid: Should Ferland Mendy get a raise?

Real Madrid left back Ferland Mendy reportedly wants an improved contract with a raise in his salary. It came to my surprise as I didn’t expect this news. So, should he get a raise or not? This question can actually lead to a series of debates, but I will try my best to prove my point.

Mendy is a great player. He has been the ideal replacement for Marcelo. Ever since he joined Real Madrid in 2019, he has been an integral part of Zidane’s squad. We saw him work hard, run up and down the left flank, and providing the pace Madrid needed in defense.

The Frenchman is just 23 years old and is a very promising player. He is already the first choice left-back for Real. He was certainly enjoying the playtime he was getting under Zidane. But with the signing of David Alaba, it isn’t going to be much easier for him.

The competition has increased for him given how impressive Alaba is at the left-back position. Even though Mendy still has some shortcomings, which I believe he will overcome soon, he deserves to be the first choice for Madrid with Alaba playing more in a central position.

Real Madrid will find it difficult to give raises in this economy

But, would he get really get a raise? I certainly don’t think that. Ever since the pandemic struck the world, almost everyone has faced economical setbacks. The majority of Madrid players took a pay cut. Players like Kroos, Casemiro, and Benzema have taken a pay cut this season too. Then how can Mendy get a raise? Even Modric, Vazquez (for the first year of his renewal), and Nacho, the three players whose contracts have reportedly been renewed, have also extended their contract with a pay cut.

Another reason as to why all the players are taking the pay cut is to save funds to afford Mbappe’s transfer. All the players are very hopeful for Florentino Perez to bring Mbappe to the Spanish Capital with Benzema seeming to be the most excited one.

Secondly, the injuries he has suffered. Mendy was available with Real Madrid for most of the season. But, at the most important time of the season, things didn’t seem to go his way. He suffered two crucial injuries sidelining him for 16 days and a month respectively. He did not only miss the most crucial moments of the season, but also the Euros for his country. So, it would be hard to say that Perez would consider giving him a raise taking this into consideration.

So, all-in-all, in my opinion, Mendy isn’t going to get a raise as of now. But the future is uncertain. So, let’s see what happens.