Manchester City news: Pep Guardiola shrugs shoulders over Benjamin Mendy’s off-field conduct
Mendy was pictured in a Manchester club in the early hours of Saturday morning, the same day as City's 2-0 Premier League win at Fulham
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Pep Guardiola has admitted he has no control over his players' private lives after Benjamin Mendy's off-field conduct was called into question once again.
Mendy was pictured in a Manchester club in the early hours of Saturday morning, the same day as City's 2-0 Premier League win at Fulham.
The 24-year-old was not included in the squad for the trip to Craven Cottage but trained in Manchester on Saturday.
Mendy was reprimanded by Pep Guardiola last September after he attended an Anthony Joshua fight in London and was late for training the next morning.
Guardiola was more relaxed when he learned of Mendy's presence in the nightclub on Saturday, but admitted that he would prefer him to have been in bed.
“They are old enough to know what they have to do," the City manager said.
"I’m not his father. I would prefer him to go to sleep earlier but I don’t control the players in that situation."
But Guardiola claimed that he was not frustrated by Mendy's actions, adding: "I’m a relaxed guy. It might not look like it but I sleep quite well.”
Mendy has only made one appearance for City since November, when he underwent surgery on a knee injury.
The France international also missed the majority of last season with a separate knee issue and has played just 20 times for City in total since joining for £52million in 2017.
Mendy was brought to the Etihad to be City's long-term first-choice left-back for years to come but Guardiola is now openly considering other options.
"If it happens in two seasons it can happen [in a third]," he said last month, referencing Mendy's dire injury record.
"The truth is we could use him only in a few games. At the end the strongest guys every day are there. That’s why we are looking for, maybe for the next season."
Mendy is now fit again following his most recent knee injury and could play a part in Wednesday's Premier League clash with Cardiff City.
Guardiola said last Friday that Mendy had recovered and was available for selection again though claimed that he needs time before he can play.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments