Real Madrid: Three burning questions after the Madrid derby win

2. Should Ferland Mendy work on his offensive game more?

After the departures of Marcelo and Miguel Gutierrez, Ferland Mendy’s position is almost unbreakable. The Frenchman begins every game as the starting left back, and there is hardly no one who can challenge him for the position.

Make no mistake: Mendy is an excellent fullback and maybe the most dependable defender Real Madrid currently has. He does an excellent job of covering the centre-backs and maintaining defensive unity whenever David Alaba surges forward in the offense.

The player is an undisputed starter due to his defensive abilities, but it is difficult to imagine how Vinicius may be even stronger offensively with a more capable offensive left back who gives more assistance in the attacking progressions.

This is also why giving Mendy greater competition for position swapping with David Alaba, who is better offensively, might truly drive the Frenchman to improve his attacking. Also, If Alaba moves to the position, Rudiger might be easily integrated with Militao in the centre.

Perhaps Mendy’s undisputed place at the back is preventing Real Madrid from having a truly dangerous left side. The two might very well run to mimic what Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo had on the left flank if Mendy focuses on his offence more and learns to help Vinicius advance up the pitch instead of holding him back.