Real Madrid triggered Fran García’s buy-back clause of €5 million after he racked up impressive performances with Rayo Vallecano last season. His signing was important because Ferland Mendy is prone to injuries and Nacho and Camavinga were used as the left-backs in his absence.
The Spaniard had a decent start to the season after he started the first 7 games, and also racked up 2 assists in the process – overall he has 5 assists in 21 games this season.
However, the left-back has been caught out defensively at times, and since Mendy’s return has fallen out of favor despite ending the year with good performances against Mallorca and Alavés.
Carlo Ancelotti opted for the experience and skill of Ferland Mendy in the Spanish Super Cup and it paid its dividends as the Frenchman was crucial in both the victories. But, as Mundo Deportivo has noted, when the Merengues were 0-2 down against Almería at the Bernabeu, the Italian turned to Fran at halftime as the Spaniard was better than Mendy – offensively.
It was visible that the change was a good one as García connected well with Vinícius and showed the chemistry between the players. Despite not being involved in any goals, this was the Spaniard’s best game for Real Madrid this season.
He was involved in the penalty decision and also assisted Bellingham for a goal, which was ruled offside due to Fran being offside himself. This performance can give Fran a chance to start the game against Las Palmas.
The crucial part of the season is yet to begin as Los Blancos have Champions League ties and La Liga games coming up next. There will be a selection headache for Carlo Ancelotti if Fran García continues to put on such performances in the ongoing season.
Moreover, as far as next season is concerned, the club is already monitoring Alphonso Davies’ situation and Mendy is reluctant to leave. Now add Fran García to that and Ancelotti may be caught in a dilemma to choose the team’s starting left-back.