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Real Madrid: The players that will be most affected by David Alaba’s arrival

By Avi Nagar

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - NOVEMBER 03: David Alaba of Bayern München looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group A stage match between RB Salzburg and FC Bayern Muenchen at Red Bull Arena on November 03, 2020 in Salzburg, Austria. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - NOVEMBER 03: David Alaba of Bayern München looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group A stage match between RB Salzburg and FC Bayern Muenchen at Red Bull Arena on November 03, 2020 in Salzburg, Austria. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) /
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Ferland Mendy
Ferland Mendy of Real Madrid (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /

Ferland Mendy

Ferland Mendy has been a fixture at the left-back spot at Real Madrid for the past 2 years. He is rock-solid defensively and has been instrumental in the defensive stability Real Madrid has enjoyed recently.

However, his place in the starting eleven is no longer guaranteed. Ancelotti has expressed his intention to implement an attacking football structure in recent statements. Full-backs have long been a significant component of attacking football. As of now, there are a total of four players capable of playing at left-back, namely Alaba, Marcelo, Mendy, and Miguel. In terms of attacking contribution, Mendy isn’t as good as the other three.

Therefore, it means that either Mendy would be benched or have to adapt to a different position. That different position is most likely going to be central defense. So if Ancelotti deploys Alaba in the left-back or a left-wing back position, Mendy may very well transform into centre-back.

Next. David Alaba can reach another level this season. dark

However, this isn’t going to be easy. Despite being an excellent 1v1 defender, Mendy does not possess the qualities of a centre-back. He is not that strong aerially, and most importantly, is not capable of progressing the ball from the back. Consecutively, Mendy may be used as a LCB in a three-defender formation like a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2. Thus, improving the lack of depth in the CB position will also be possible.

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