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da brwin： It has recently been reported that Manchester City will not be targeting a new left-back this summer and will instead give their backing to Benjamin Mendy, a player who has been difficult to rely on since he arrived at the club.
Mendy arrived at the Etihad Stadium from Monaco in a £52m deal back in 2017, a transfer which saw him become the world’s most expensive defender until Liverpool splashed out £75m on Virgil van Dijk.
However, despite looking like a phenomenal player whenever he has made it out onto the pitch, the Frenchman hasn’t made as many appearances as the Cityzens would’ve liked – he has managed just 14 Premier League starts in almost two seasons.
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Mendy has also been a bit of a headache off the field. The 24-year-old has caused Guardiola angst by spending the early hours of the morning out partying, whilst he has also stepped on thin ice by turning up late for a treatment session.
So, are City right to give Mendy their backing and not sign a new left-back? Football FanCast’s writers have their say…
Matt Dawson
“Given Manchester City spent so much on Mendy, the sensible thing would be to stick by him. He’s easily one of the best in his position in the division when he’s fit. However, I think it’s incredibly alarming that they’re not in the market for a back up option at the very least. Fabian Delph is quite frankly terrible in that position and his display against Spurs in the Champions League tells you all you need to know. Guardiola might like Zinchenko but he shouldn’t be someone the club become over reliant upon whenever an injury occurs.”
Harry Sherlock
“Mendy is the best left-back City have had for quite a while. On the pitch, the left-back is excellent at crossing the ball and also has that potent cocktail of skill, pace and precision in his passing. There are very few truly world-class left-backs out there who can walk into Guardiola’s side. Mendy, if he can stay fit, has all the attributes to be City’s first-choice left-back for the next five years. Guardiola is right to back him; he could be the club’s secret weapon in next season’s inevitable title charge.”
James Beavis
“In my view Pep has undoubtedly made the right call. It’s about time City did this instead of simply going out and spending big money on someone else. Mendy’s unfortunate run of luck won’t continue forever, and with a full pre-season under him he should be raring to go for the start of the 2019/20 season – Man City fans will be excited for that. The Frenchman will be a like a new signing and even if he does suffer again, Oleksandr Zinchenko has proven himself to be a more than able deputy.”