Benjamin Mendy - 2018/19 Performances

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Some of you are making the same errors assessing his defensive game as others will have done with Otamendi in previous years.

He's not just not a bad defender, he's actually a good defender. You'll see it. You already did against Chelsea, barring one hiccup at the end.
 
For all of the stick Mendy and Gundogan have received for their performances against Wolves, it was those two players who got the assist and put another chance on a plate for Jesus.
 
Cheadle_hulmeBlue said:
So after one average game, some posters have already decided he’s not a defender and can’t defend haha

He’s been out for a year as well. Some posts on here are so reactionary and just plain dumb. He was fantastic in the previous 2 games ffs
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He was as bad in our defensive third against Arsenal as he was against Wolves.

Skinned by Bellerin who should have scored from the result of it;
Stupidly passed a very bad pass to Fernandinho who had men on him and it didn’t even reach him where Arsenal nicked it and Lacazette nearly scored;
Brought down the Arsenal lad in the box, no idea how a penalty wasn’t given;
Almost every other time he received the ball in our defensive area he either hoofed it up field or gave it away.

I really hope we’re not looking back in January with everyone saying “we spotted this in August”.

He worries me... A LOT!

We had a perfect balance in an almost perfect team last season. That balance hasn’t quite looked right at all in our first two away games. It’s early doors after a World Cup, hopefully it irons out. But Mendy just doesn’t seem like a Pep player at all so far (I include early last season in that as well).
 
Psychedelic Casual said:
He was as bad in our defensive third against Arsenal as he was against Wolves.

Skinned by Bellerin who should have scored from the result of it;
Stupidly passed a very bad pass to Fernandinho who had men on him and it didn’t even reach him where Arsenal nicked it and Lacazette nearly scored;
Brought down the Arsenal lad in the box, no idea how a penalty wasn’t given;
Almost every other time he received the ball in our defensive area he either hoofed it up field or gave it away.

I really hope we’re not looking back in January with everyone saying “we spotted this in August”.

He worries me... A LOT!

We had a perfect balance in an almost perfect team last season. That balance hasn’t quite looked right at all in our first two away games. It’s early doors after a World Cup, hopefully it irons out. But Mendy just doesn’t seem like a Pep player at all so far (I include early last season in that as well).
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There is a lot of truth in this. I think Delph should be starting a few games so he remains match fit and an option for big games. Not sure for instance, Mendy should be starting at Anfield. I'm a little nauseated at the thought of him defending the wing against Salah.
 
While tremendous at crosses, Mendy is not without drawbacks. In particular he's terrible on defense and on offense frequently gives the ball away.

I like Mendy's personality and he offers enough on offense to merit a spot in our squad. But, he needs cover on defense if the opposition will threaten us down our left side. Maybe play him as a winger in such games with Delph at LB?

Another problem with Mendy is that he's very similar on attack to Sane - he'll storm forward on the left flank. If Sane is also in the game, it seems to me that the two players would invariable interfere with each other on offense.

Pep is a master tactician. Likely he'll figure out how to make the most out of Mendy - ideally, he'll fit both Sane and Mendy into some of our formations.
 
CityInWashingtonState said:
While tremendous at crosses, Mendy is not without drawbacks. In particular he's terrible on defense and on offense frequently gives the ball away.

I like Mendy's personality and he offers enough on offense to merit a spot in our squad. But, he needs cover on defense if the opposition will threaten us down our left side. Maybe play him as a winger in such games with Delph at LB?

Another problem with Mendy is that he's very similar on attack to Sane - he'll storm forward on the left flank. If Sane is also in the game, it seems to me that the two players would invariable interfere with each other on offense.

Pep is a master tactician. Likely he'll figure out how to make the most out of Mendy - ideally, he'll fit both Sane and Mendy into some of our formations.
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Bit of an urban myth. He's totally different to Sane. Sane makes weaving runs and can get behind a defense. Mendy is generally about wide positioning and bullet-like crosses.
 
The narrative that we only signed Mahrez is correct but a fit Mendy is the best addition to our squad this season , he is a beast of a player , gives us a whole new dimension down the left hand side , but unfortunately at the expense of the brilliant Sane , we really are spoiled for choice at the moment.
 
His defending will be up to scratch by Christmas. He was good 1v1 at Monaco and Pep will sort out any positioning problems that can be fixed - being as attacking as he is will always mean there's a defensive issue behind him but I expect it to be a minor thing after he's gotten up to speed and spent a good 6 months with Pep on the training ground.
 
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