RMD starter at risk of losing position following undewhelming performances

Last season, Carlo Ancelotti was praised for getting the best out of Ferland Mendy, with the French left-back earning a new contract after a successful Champions League season. As a left back 'shutdown', getting past Mendy, proved to be an impossible task for many European top players.

That hasn't been the case in recent months, with the Frenchman looking much more vulnerable with the rest of his defense. On the other hand, alternative Fran Garcia has seen increased playing time, and MD says there is potential for him to usurp Mendy.

“He has played more in recent matches and shown a lot of quality. I liked him a lot. We must not forget that in this position we still have a full-back with whom we have won two Champions Leagues. Mendy is a fantastic full-back and if we need to be more attacking, Fran can play,” Ancelotti recently commented at a press conference.

Garcia has started Real Madrid's last three Liga games without conceding a goal, and of the 20 goals Los Blancos have conceded this season, Garcia has only been on the pitch for three. That's partly due to the far fewer minutes he's played, but Garcia has played 690 minutes, earning 6 starts and 15 appearances from 20 games.

Ancelotti's response probably provides the key to his thinking. Whenever Los Blancos facing big opponents, it would be a surprise to see Garcia in a starting position. Mendy gained the Italian's confidence when everyone else at Real Madrid doubted him, and Garcia has been used sparingly over the past 18 months.