Home Football A Real Madrid defender is anticipated to start against Las Palmas for the first time this year

A Real Madrid defender is anticipated to start against Las Palmas for the first time this year

Football — 09/26/2023

According to a report from MARCA, Ferland Mendy is expected to start for Real Madrid for the first time this season when they face Las Palmas this Wednesday in La Liga.

It has been a difficult year for Mendy, who has been in and out of the team due to intermittent injury problems.

Having hardly played during the second half of the last season, the Frenchman once again picked up an injury during pre-season and had been sidelined until now.

The 28-year-old returned to La Liga action on Sunday during the Madrid derby, replacing Fran Garcia a few minutes before the hour mark. A mere 10 minutes later, the left-back was shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Marcos Llorente.

Absolute need for minutes

It’s no secret that Mendy’s future at Real Madrid is in question. The 28-year-old has not convinced Carlo Ancelotti that he could be a trusted left-back, prompting Madrid to look at Alphonso Davies as a potential hire in the summer of 2024.

Things may look bleak for the Frenchman, but it is also true that if there is someone who can alter the situation, it is him.

After struggling with injuries for far too long, he returned to action on Sunday against Atletico. And now that he is fully fit and Madrid face a lengthy line of fixtures, it could be a golden ticket for him to prove his worth.

Above all, a home game against Las Palmas, a team that is largely expected to sit deep and rely on counters, is a perfect outing for him to assert his authority.

Future is bleak

At this moment it is hard to imagine Mendy continuing at Real Madrid beyond this season.

The 28-year-old has not done enough to convince the board and as reported before, he appears destined for a departure at the end of the season.

Mendy’s current contract runs until 2025 and with Real Madrid most likely to go for Davies next summer, it will be game over for Mendy anyway.

One way or the other, the 28-year-old will be forced to explore market opportunities.

For now, though, the former Olympique Lyon ace will be hoping to make the most of his chance should he indeed start against Las Palmas ahead of Fran Garcia.