As Real Madrid enters an important phase this December, a player under Carlo Ancelotti who disappointed against Lille, Barça, and Liverpool is losing his starting spot. His performances have been far from convincing.
After roughly four months of competition in the 2024-2025 season, several notable changes can be observed within the Real Madrid squad. While the team laments the injuries and absences of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, who will miss the entire season, some players are rising or falling in form. In recent days, young Raúl Asensio has been praised and celebrated by Madrid fans for his unexpected performances in his professional debut. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti is making adjustments.
Fran García puts Ferland Mendy under pressure
Speaking of changes, the Italian coach has noticed the gaps on the left flank in recent weeks. Whenever Ferland Mendy, the first-choice left-back, has started, Real Madrid has often conceded goals. Once considered a solid, hard-to-beat defender in previous seasons, the 29-year-old Frenchman has lost his edge. Following repeated injuries last season, Mendy has become one of the players most criticised after every poor Real Madrid result.
Against Lille and FC Barcelona (in the clásico), for example, the left-back, who joined the Spanish capital from Lyon in 2019, disappointed with poor defensive positioning and failed tackles. Incapable of contributing offensively, Ferland Mendy is also struggling defensively. According to statistics, “in 664 minutes with Ferland Mendy, Real Madrid has scored 9 goals and conceded 6.” A rather high ratio compared to Fran García, who has been playing more frequently in recent days.
Fran García’s resurgence
Back at his boyhood club in 2023 to provide cover for Ferland Mendy, Francisco José García Torres is winning everyone over this season. Despite his small stature, the 25-year-old Spanish left-back has managed to convince Carlo Ancelotti to give him significantly more playing time. Starting in Real Madrid’s last three La Liga matches, he has brought a lot to the attack. During the 596 minutes Fran García has played, the Madrid side has scored 21 goals and conceded only 3.
Against Getafe last Sunday, the 1.69m-tall player showed great defensive solidity. In attack, he combined the most with Kylian Mbappé. Today, the young Spanish international’s performance has not gone unnoticed by Real Madrid’s coaching staff and club observers. While many praise the undeniable impact of the 25-year-old on the left flank, Ancelotti has sought to temper expectations by acknowledging Mendy’s contributions in past seasons.
This Wednesday, against Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés, Fran García is expected to start again unless Carlo Ancelotti decides to trust Ferland Mendy, who often plays in big matches. If the situation remains the same until the end of the season, Real Madrid’s management may change their stance on Fran García’s future, as he has been rumoured in recent months to be a strong candidate for a summer departure.
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