Alonso trying to salvage Real Madrid outcast by using him in makeshift role | OneFootball

The appointment of Xabi Alonso has been quite the bane for Ferland Mendy, whose role in the side has diminished significantly.

Injuries have once again not been helpful, while new signing Alvaro Carreras’ stellar form means Mendy is now the third-choice left-back at Real Madrid.

Xabi Alonso knows all too well that Mendy doesn’t have any future at Real Madrid. That is why the Real Madrid coach has found an alternative way to play the Frenchman.

Alonso to test Mendy at centre-back

As reported by SPORT, Alonso clearly doesn’t have Mendy as part of his long-term plans. In his left-back position, he is a clear third to Carreras and Fran Garcia.

That is why the Real Madrid coach has tried to deploy Mendy as a centre-back, hoping he can serve as an additional centre-back option for a team struggling with injuries.

It must be noted that Real Madrid are running thin in central defensive options, with Antonio Rudiger injured while Eder Militao picked up a fresh knock, setting him back for at least two weeks.

Ferland Mendy is not a part of Xabi Alonso’s plans. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

This leaves Raul Asencio and Dean Huijsen as the two viable options for Real Madrid at centre-back, with David Alaba not a part of Alonso’s plans.

Mendy, therefore, can prove to be a useful option at centre-back in the absence of both Rudiger and Militao. If he can excel in training, he might even get a few opportunities in Real Madrid’s upcoming matches.

However, the report clarifies that Mendy will lose his place in the team as soon as Real Madrid bring in one or two new defensive options.

In the context of the ongoing season, that means the return of either Militao or Rudiger could effectively kill Mendy’s game-time.