#22 | Benjamin Mendy - 2020/21 Performances

[domalino]

It is easy to forget with the coronavirus hiatus and small break between seasons that Mendy has only played about 20 games since returning from 2 years out. Gundogan took a lot longer than that to start playing really well after his knee injuries, KDB probably took that long to look himself after his knee injury. It's just been really spread out for Mendy because of how fucked up 2020 has been.

He showed yesterday that the vision for those incisive passes inside and the crossing ability is still there. That's the kind of thing that's independent of the opposition's quality. So he's going to have a use in this squad even if we get another LB this week, because no other LB is going to be as good in the final third if he's getting his delivery back.

Physically he looked a lot more sharp, like you'd expect from someone who had no preseason going into their 4th game of the season, and he looked like he was starting to trust his body a bit more to make those overlapping runs and some recovery sprints back when we lost the ball.

He absolutely loves his old coach Bielsa, so I hope he plays against Leeds and has another great game because he'll be wanting to impress his old mentor.

 

[MCFCFanTX]

Mendy was really good against Burnely. He tends to have better performances when Laporte is in the team though.

 

[blueinsa]

A half decent performance against a team of cloggers in a cup they obviously dont give a hoot about doesn't negate the fact that when it really matters he just doesn't deliver.

He is a full back and he simply can not defend.

 

[domalino]

A half decent performance against a team of cloggers in a cup they obviously dont give a hoot about doesn't negate the fact that when it really matters he just doesn't deliver.

He is a full back and he simply can not defend.

This has never been true. Mendy has had some excellent defensive games against some of the best opposition in the world, Madrid and Liverpool are 2 that spring to mind immediately. He was an excellent defensive fullback at Monaco and Marseilles.

His problems have always been to do with the injuries. Fitness, mobility and/or confidence.

 

[teddykgb]

It is easy to forget with the coronavirus hiatus and small break between seasons that Mendy has only played about 20 games since returning from 2 years out. Gundogan took a lot longer than that to start playing really well after his knee injuries, KDB probably took that long to look himself after his knee injury. It's just been really spread out for Mendy because of how fucked up 2020 has been.

He showed yesterday that the vision for those incisive passes inside and the crossing ability is still there. That's the kind of thing that's independent of the opposition's quality. So he's going to have a use in this squad even if we get another LB this week, because no other LB is going to be as good in the final third if he's getting his delivery back.

Physically he looked a lot more sharp, like you'd expect from someone who had no preseason going into their 4th game of the season, and he looked like he was starting to trust his body a bit more to make those overlapping runs and some recovery sprints back when we lost the ball.

He absolutely loves his old coach Bielsa, so I hope he plays against Leeds and has another great game because he'll be wanting to impress his old mentor.

The only part I don’t agree with is the recovery runs part. He didn’t seem any more likely to come back and I’m not sure he was even asked to. We mostly left Walker back and Mendy often pressed from the front on possession loss

 

[Neville Kneville]

We signed him as an attacking fullback & he did that part better than for a long time.

 

[super_city_si]

Did a couple of things last night we haven't seen since he first joined. Showed a glimpse of the player he can be and hopefully becomes again.
I was ready to write him off but I liked what i saw. Needs to build on last night

 

[FantasyIreland]

Did a couple of things last night we haven't seen since he first joined. Showed a glimpse of the player he can be and hopefully becomes again.
I was ready to write him off but I liked what i saw. Needs to build on last night

He actually impressed in a couple of games towards the back of last season,but that's the problem......he's so inconsistent and unpredictable,and far more miss than hit.

At his injury free and confident best,he would do a fine job,but we just can't rely on him.

 

[HaalandEffect]

City answer for Winston Bogarde.

 

[alexmcity]

Interesting stat:

Mendy has played 3 games against Liverpool, we have won 2 and drawn 1, GD: 9:0 (!).

Livepool haven't scored a single goal against us when Mendy plays.

 

[FJRMCFC]

Sorry but he complete shite. I’d put it down to his injuries which isn’t his fault but it is what it is. Club needs to be ruthless and cut our losses

 

[Manchester_lalala]

Our worst signing, ever. He’s fucking wank. I honestly think that he makes our other players nervous when he’s on the pitch. Ake should be our starting left back.

 

[garyCTID]

Need to get the cheque book out again by Monday to get Alaba.

 

[Feed the Elk]

He’s just a bit dim.
Also lost his pace too

 

[RandomJ]

This will be another one we end up loaning out while paying all his wages. No one in their right mind would want him. He is finished.

 

[KevinReed]

Mendy, totally lacking any intelligence in his game play. We will suffer without a WC LB.

 

[dhruvblue]

Need to get the cheque book out again by Monday to get Alaba.

Yeah what? €400k? Not thanks

 

[Vicious111]

Absolute liability. I have that same 'Oh Fuck' I 7sed to get watching Stefan Savic in a City Jersey.

Looked weak, couldn't string a pass, constantly lost the ball and lost his duels, didnt look like he was confident and generally so massively underwhelmed. When he expertly controlled the ball in our own box and lost it generally sums up his attitude. He stood and watched with his arms up.

We really need to cut our losses and get rid. Ake changed the dynamic of the game, more because Mendy was taken off.

 

[BlueCityfan]

Yeah what? €400k? Not thanks

Even then. I doubt he would be interested.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

Mendy, totally lacking any intelligence in his game play. We will suffer without a WC LB.

I don’t even want a world class left back. I want a left back that can defend to a reasonable standard and is a decent attacking outlet. Also controlling a football would be a benefit. We’ve never had a well balanced left back, it’s fucking madness that in 12 years since the takeover we’ve had nothing but wank left backs.