Florentino Pérez and Xabi Alonso are actively working to reshape Real Madrid’s squad for the upcoming season, targeting weak areas for reinforcement while offloading players who no longer meet the club’s standards or ambitions.
According to Spanish outlet Don Balón, one of the key areas under review is the defensive line, which has come under considerable pressure. Following a joint technical and administrative assessment, Real Madrid and coach Xabi Alonso have informed French left-back Ferland Mendy that his chances of remaining with the team are now very slim. With Álvaro Carreras expected to join after the Club World Cup, Mendy faces an uphill battle to retain his place.
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In Alonso’s plans, Fran García appears more adaptable as a backup option, while Mendy, given his profile and playing style, is seen as a more suitable fit for a return to Ligue 1, where his qualities may better align with the league’s demands.
Throughout the season, Mendy has struggled with recurring fitness issues that have negatively impacted his performance. Additionally, his largely defensive playing style contrasts with Alonso’s tactical vision, which prioritizes full-backs capable of contributing to build-up play and offering offensive support. This explains the coach’s interest in Carreras, who is seen as a priority signing for the left-back position.
As a result, Mendy has been asked to find a new club before August 31, the deadline for the summer transfer window. Although he remains part of the squad for the Club World Cup in the United States, he is fully aware that time is running out to change the club’s position on his future.
Mendy, once a key figure under Carlo Ancelotti, especially two seasons ago, has seen a sharp decline in form this season. Persistent injuries, coupled with his limited role in offensive phases, have made him a prime candidate for a summer exit.
However, the Club World Cup may offer one final opportunity to alter his trajectory. A standout performance could prompt the coaching staff to reassess his role, though Xabi Alonso’s message has been unmistakably clear.
Alonso views Álvaro Carreras as the ideal modern full-back — intelligent in possession, tactically aware, and capable of creating attacking chances — much like Grimaldo during his time at Bayer Leverkusen. Carreras’s attacking instincts and vision make him a natural fit for Alonso’s system, placing Mendy in an increasingly difficult position in the squad hierarchy.
