The FIFA World Cup is rapidly approaching, and the national managers of each nation are gradually announcing the group of players who will carry the banner of quest in an attempt to win football’s most prestigious competition. Several Real Madrid players are also flying to Qatar for the competition.
France, the last tournament’s winners, have just released their 26-man roster, which includes numerous Real Madrid players such as Karim Benzema, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga, but one name that was expected to be named was left out: Ferland Mendy.
Didier Deschamps chose to go with Lucas Hernandez and Theo Hernandez over Mendy at left back, and while the omission may have come as a surprise, it is well justified from the manager’s standpoint and the tactical manner in which France plays under him.
The French national team is heavily attack-oriented, hence wing-backs on either flank with more attacking liberty and the ability to surge forward and push upfront with the team are used. Of course, Ferland Mendy is well recognized for being an excellent defender but a weak offensive force.Thus the exclusion.
Though this is unfortunate for Mendy, there is a silver lining that can genuinely effect him.
Mendy will have plenty of time to collect himself and rectify his stature at Real Madrid
It is clear that the player was world class last season, but he has failed to maintain the same momentum this season, struggling with an inability to create an impression marred by numerous blunders and deficiencies.
Real Madrid’s defense is fragile and becoming more concerning with each passing game, and Mendy is part of the problem. He has been a source of concern, and his place in the starting lineup has been called into doubt multiple times.
He struggles to track gaps, chase pacy opponents despite his mobility, and communicate well with CBs; altogether, he struggles to execute reliably and strongly. A lot of advances and goals came from the left wing that shouldn’t have gone past Mendy, much alone found their way in the net.
The drop in form is one of the main reasons he was not selected for the World Cup, but from a different perspective, the time that Mendy will have in the break will provide an excellent opportunity for him to reflect on everything that has gone wrong recently, what substantiated the sudden dip in form, and how the corrective measures must be carried out.
Real Madrid must also advise Mendy that he needs to adapt and get better in order to avoid having his lone wolf status as the team’s sole left back questioned and other options listed in the search engine.
Mendy must also have the opportunity to analyze what is wrong with his offensive in the game and how he can enhance it. The players who are not going to the World Cup will surely stay back and concentrate on their own preparations for a difficult post-World Cup season, and Mendy shall use the chance and time to ponder on things and persuade himself before the world that he is still the top-class player he once was.
The ball remains in his court.