Marcelo and Mendy jostle for position at Valdebebas Real Madrid They stayed in Madrid during the break

If you discount Real Madrid's injured players, Zinedine Zidane has been left with just seven members of his senior squad for training at Valdebebas during the international break.

However, he has had the chance to work with both of his first-team left-backs, with both Marcelo and Ferland Mendy not receiving call-ups from Brazil and France respectively.

Marcelo has been the regular starter since Zidane returned to Real Madrid in March, ousting Sergio Reguilon in the latter stages of last season, but the investment of 48 million euros in Mendy can't be ignored.

The former Lyon defender has been injured for the majority of the summer, but made his full debut for Los Blancos in the 2-2 draw with Villarreal and impressed.

Mendy completed 45 out of 51 passes, was frequently involved in attacks and won possession six times during the encounter at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

His power and speed are qualities that Zidane values highly and, if he continues to perform, Marcelo may find himself out of the team again.