With Lucas Hernandez taking the left back spot for France at the World Cup, it was largely thought the Atletico Madrid man was there because of Benjamin Mendy’s fitness issues the previous year, and that things would sort themselves out in the end.
Mendy has been considered France’s premier left back for a while, and Manchester City expected that when they signed the player from AS Monaco. The larger than life character takes his energy off the pitch on to the pitch and has proven to be an effective attacking force for both Pep Guardiola and Didier Deschamps.
That’s where L’Equipe believe an issue may be coming in. Whilst Mendy has the edge attacking, Lucas is thought to be better defensively.
Former France international and current pundit Maxime Bossis has been speaking to the French newspaper about what he now feels is a genuine long term battle to be first choice left back, and one which may be edged by Lucas.
Bossis explained: “Indeed, the entry of Mendy coincided with the three adverse opportunities in the space of a short time. We know that Mendy plays higher than Lucas Hernandez, he is still comfortable in the counterattack as he proved once again with this pass for Giroud. But hey, oddly, his side has been pretty quiet.
“Personally, I find that Mendy is a player sometimes brighter offensively than Lucas Hernandez, but I find that the latter is more complete, with superior defensive qualities.
“He is more aggressive, has more punch. Mendy is more comfortable with a team that owns the ball. But hey, there is a match between the two.”
