'Overbooking' on the left side of Madrid

The signing of Marc Cucurella forces Real Madrid to make important decisions regarding the left-back position. The arrival of the player from Chelsea, sealed in a deal around 60 million euros with a contract until 2032, leaves the White Club with four footballers for a single position. Rumors around Madrid point towards two inevitable departures.

Cucurella arrives with the status of a starter and as a specific request from José Mourinho, shifting the debate not on who has the advantage, but on who will leave Chamartín. Álvaro Carreras, Fran García, and Ferland Mendy find themselves in the midst of a restructuring that could heavily influence the Madrid market.

Marc Cucurella arrives to claim the wing: Fran García, Ferland Mendy, and Álvaro Carreras, two inevitable departures

Marc Cucurella is not landing in Real Madrid as just another alternative. The Spanish international arrives to be a starter from day one and to address a position that has been a concern at the Bernabéu for a while.

His signing represents a significant investment. The Guardian placed the deal at 55 million fixed plus five in variables, while Reuters mentioned an agreement valued at around 51.8 million pounds. These are not numbers for a rotational player.

Mourinho wanted a competitive, aggressive full-back with Premier League experience and the ability to perform in big matches. Cucurella fits that profile and comes at the peak of his career, at 27 years old.

The issue is evident. His addition leaves Real Madrid with too many pieces in the same area of the field. Cucurella, Álvaro Carreras, Fran García, and Ferland Mendy cannot coexist throughout the season with a logical distribution of minutes.

The club needs to trim the squad, reduce the wage bill, and prevent some players from being left without a spot even before the preseason begins.

Therefore, the sporting department is working with a clear idea: two left-backs must depart or, at the very least, one must leave immediately and another will depend on their physical or contractual situation.

Álvaro Carreras seemed destined to stay. Real Madrid made a significant investment in him just a year ago, when they signed him from Benfica for a sum close to 50 million euros.

That investment works in his favor. Selling him too soon would mean admitting that the move did not go as planned, something the club typically avoids unless a truly appealing offer arises.

Additionally, AS has reported that Mourinho and Real Madrid consider the Galician player important to complement Cucurella. His youth, potential, and room for improvement give him an edge over other candidates.

However, the market dynamics can change everything. Chelsea, now managed by Xabi Alonso, has emerged as a potential destination after losing Cucurella.

Xabi knows Carreras well and appreciates his qualities. The Spanish full-back has the drive, technical skills, and potential to thrive in the demanding environment of the Premier League.

If Chelsea presents a substantial offer, Real Madrid will have to consider it. While not the preferred option, selling Carreras could help recover part of the investment and balance the books after the expenditure on Cucurella.

As of now, Fran García is the player most likely to leave. His sporting situation is clear: with Cucurella ahead of him and Carreras as a future prospect, his playing time would be severely restricted.

The Madrid-born full-back has suitors in Spain. Real Betis has already initiated talks with Real Madrid regarding him and sees him as a top priority to bolster their left wing for the 2026/27 season.

AS has estimated the deal at around 10 million euros, a feasible amount for a club seeking a deep, fast, and experienced left-back in LaLiga.

Rayo Vallecano also emerges as a potential destination on emotional and sporting grounds. Fran shone at Vallecas before returning to Real Madrid, and his comeback would make sense if he seeks consistent playing time in a familiar environment.

For the player, leaving could be the wisest move. At 26, he needs to compete regularly, not go through another season trapped between bench roles and sparse minutes.

Real Madrid would not pose many obstacles if a reasonable offer arrives. Fran García is a reliable professional, but the club needs to make room, and his sale is the most straightforward to execute.

Ferland Mendy presents the most complicated case. The Frenchman has been pivotal in recent years, but his physical problems have significantly affected his continuity.

Real Madrid has not received lucrative offers for him. His injury record and salary make any deal challenging, to the extent that his exit might rely more on a mutual agreement, solution, or personal decision rather than a traditional transfer.

The situation has reached a delicate stage. Mendy is even considering retiring if he fails to regain physical form, a scenario that seemed unthinkable a few months ago.

For the club, his case demands sensitivity. It is not merely a sporting matter but a human one too. Mendy has been dependable when fit, but his body has given up too often.

Should he opt to continue, Real Madrid must assess whether to keep him as the fourth-choice left-back or find a solution that does not hinder their planning. If he chooses retirement, it will mark the end of a period marked by great nights and too many injuries.

Cucurella's arrival has sped up all timelines. Real Madrid now has its starter, aims for a dependable second full-back, and needs to address the surplus quickly.

Carreras seems likely to stay unless a significant offer comes from Chelsea. Fran García is almost out, with Betis and Rayo on alert. Meanwhile, Mendy faces a much more uncertain situation.

The left-back position has become one of the main focuses of Real Madrid's summer. Mourinho wants to close the chapter before the season kicks off.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, "Overbooking" en el lateral izquierdo del Madrid