Ferland Mendy of Real Madrid
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Real Madrid have spent big on the left-back department in recent summer transfer windows and have made two big-money signings, both of whom are worthy starters.
Last summer, the club signed Alvaro Carreras for €50 million and they have gone on to sign Marc Cucurella for €55 million this time around. Both players remain at the club while Fran Garcia has left in search of more minutes.
A third left-back option who is currently at the club is Ferland Mendy, although the Frenchman has been battling recurrent injuries and is even currently on the sidelines.
Given his situation, a contract termination was seen as an option, but Diario AS now confirm that Real Madrid will not head down that approach this summer.
Indeed, as confirmed by the Spanish outlet, Mendy will stay at Real Madrid next season and is not planning on leaving the club either through a termination or a transfer.
Ferland Mendy, Real Madrid player
Mendy will stay at the club. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
His current contract runs until 2028, and he thus has two more years left on his deal. Real Madrid respect the contract he signed and will not pressure him to leave. In fact, they have not even approached the player to ask him to look for a transfer or a termination.
If Mendy himself requests the club to leave, they will not pose any hurdles. But Real Madrid see him as a player who can add value when he is fully fit as matters stand.
The report also states that Mendy, for his part, is happy in Madrid and has no intention of leaving before his contract ends.
Ferland Mendy of Real Madrid
Mendy is happy in Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Injuries have not been kind to him, but he trusts that if he can stay fit, he can even return to the starting lineup. After all, he is a defensive specialist and would be invaluable in Jose Mourinho’s system.
As matters stand, the player is expected to return to training in September and it remains to be seen if he can get any momentum on his side after that point. His recovery is currently going well, and the club’s goal should be a long-term fix where the player can be of value.
Ibrahima Konate, France star and Real Madrid new signing
Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images
After working for close to a month in pre-season without international players available, Jose Mourinho has now welcomed back a significant part of the dressing room.
Most of the team’s big names are now back in training, with the others also set to return in the coming days. By the end of the week, Los Blancos will have a full-strength group in training.
Kicking off a new project at the club, Jose Mourinho’s big task thus begins now as he must transmit his ideas and transform the dressing room to his liking.
Helping the new signings adapt is critical on that front, and Ibrahima Konate is one of the new arrivals who is already working at the club facilities.
Earlier today, the new Real Madrid player took to his official Instagram account to post pictures of him attending training at his new club. His caption, needless to say, said everything about how excited he is.
“Day one. A new chapter begins,” he wrote, signalling how he was looking forward to the new beginning.
Ibrahima Konate and Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid player
Konate has reported for Real Madrid training. (Picture credit: X/@realmadrid)
“Proud to wear this crest, ready to work, and ready to give everything,” he added, committing his best to the club.
The coming weeks, needless to say, will be important for Konate as he will look to get up to speed and integrate seamlessly into Jose Mourinho’s tactics. As a new signing, the importance of the period of adaptation cannot be understated.
While Konate does arrive as Real Madrid’s premium centre-back signing, it is clear that his previous season was far from perfect and that he has a lot to prove.
Jose Mourinho, head coach of Real Madrid
Mourinho has several centre-back options. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
Stepping into a club with sky-high standards like Real Madrid, the player will have to be on his toes from the very first day to ensure he stays afloat in the pecking order. After all, nothing is a given at Real Madrid.
It is true that Jose Mourinho does not count on Raul Asencio, but Antonio Rudiger is a strong candidate to continue as a starter and Eder Militao will also be one after he returns from injury.
While Dean Huijsen’s stock has fallen in recent times, his quality has never been in doubt and the Spaniard will also be determined to move up Mourinho’s pecking order in the coming weeks.
Konate, in that sense, is far from a guaranteed starter and must prove his worth and earn his place in the XI through his performances in pre-season.