Benjamin Mendy

[Sensanetional]

This notion where you rate players based on one game has to stop.

Jardim literally said the day before the game that Mendy was not fit to start(Mendys just come back from a hip injury that hes struggled with for months), Dirar injured himself in the warm-up and a half-fit Mendy had to play in a makeshift 3-4-1-2 system that Monaco has never played before and the whole team looked disastrous in the defensive transitions as a result of that. Even then he still created plenty of opportunities that Monaco should've converted.

 

[Shaelumstash]

This notion where you rate players based on one game has to stop.

Jardim literally said the day before the game that Mendy was not fit to start(Mendys just come back from a hip injury that hes struggled with for months), Dirar injured himself in the warm-up and a half-fit Mendy had to play in a makeshift 3-4-1-2 system that Monaco has never played before and the whole team looked disastrous in the defensive transitions as a result of that. Even then he still created plenty of opportunities that Monaco should've converted.

Good post, I agree you shouldn't write a player off based on one performance. But it is possible to gain something of value of a player's strengths based on one game.

Mendy went on a couple of fantastically timed runs, had great pace and power and most importantly for me, he delivered at least 3 quality crosses, better than any I've seen from a City full back since we had Andy Hinchcliffe!

Even if Mendy has defensive deficiencies, his quality going forward should more than compensate for that. Dani Alves was the difference maker in both games, he's often accused of being a liability defensively, but when you're that good going forward, it more than compensates.

Going forward Mendy looked several levels above Alex Sandro in that game, and his 11 assists this season suggests to me it's not a one off. Mendy is a gamble, but I think he's one worth taking.

 

[Larry Stranger]

For me I have the biggest issues with his ball retention. Not only based on the Juve game. You can see even in his youtube videos that he tries to dribble out of pressure because he's athletic and quick. But he got caught on the ball in that Juve game and his passing isn't great.

 

[Dax777]

For me I have the biggest issues with his ball retention. Not only based on the Juve game. You can see even in his youtube videos that he tries to dribble out of pressure because he's athletic and quick. But he got caught on the ball in that Juve game and his passing isn't great.

Hmmmm.... I didn't want to bring it up, but now that you have, I'm happy you did :-)

 

[twosips]

Defo in for him, cos he'd be cheaper than the likes of Sandro. Not sure its as advanced as some are saying though, just interest.

 

[Goater=Legend]

What about Fabinho?

 

[Dax777]

Good post, I agree you shouldn't write a player off based on one performance. But it is possible to gain something of value of a player's strengths based on one game.

Mendy went on a couple of fantastically timed runs, had great pace and power and most importantly for me, he delivered at least 3 quality crosses, better than any I've seen from a City full back since we had Andy Hinchcliffe!

Even if Mendy has defensive deficiencies, his quality going forward should more than compensate for that. Dani Alves was the difference maker in both games, he's often accused of being a liability defensively, but when you're that good going forward, it more than compensates.

Going forward Mendy looked several levels above Alex Sandro in that game, and his 11 assists this season suggests to me it's not a one off. Mendy is a gamble, but I think he's one worth taking.

Folks say this a lot, but has never been true. He is a rock solid defensive fullback with offensive skills that often put star wingers to shame. But just because his offensive game was above and beyond what you'd you'dexpect from a fullback doesn't mean his defense was weak. Anyway, I know it was a side point, just a pet peeve of mine. People have said it for 10 years and yet it has never been true.

As for left back, while Mendy doesn't excite me, I'm happy we are not blowing 70 million on Sandro. Phew!

 

[Armaan]

This will be the best summer ever. Mendys crossing is ridiculous.

 

[Dax777]

Defo in for him, cos he'd be cheaper than the likes of Sandro. Not sure its as advanced as some are saying though, just interest.

Are you sayingthere is still time to turn this around and go get Bernat? Yes you are! Yes you are :-)

 

[RandomJ]

For me I have the biggest issues with his ball retention. Not only based on the Juve game. You can see even in his youtube videos that he tries to dribble out of pressure because he's athletic and quick. But he got caught on the ball in that Juve game and his passing isn't great.

He's 22 I'm sure he can improve that side of his game. But what he does bring is pace and power and an amazing crosser of the ball. I'll take that all day long after years of watching Clichy/Kolarov.