UK Edition
Man City facing defensive disaster as Benjamin Mendy not certain to play again this season
Benjamin Mendy is not certain to play again this season after the world’s most expensive defender ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a huge setback to Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes.
The Frenchman’s absence leaves Pep Guardiola without a left-back, even though the manager spent £220 million on six players in the summer, and raises fresh questions about City’s recruitment strategy.
Danilo, a right-back by trade, and midfielder Fabian Delph are now Guardiola’s only realistic options at left-back, even though the Catalan has raised the prospect of playing untried attacking midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko in the position.
Guardiola admitted on Tuesday he could be forced into the transfer market in January and that now seems increasingly likely with Mendy, who will undergo surgery in Barcelona on Friday, facing between six and nine months out less than 11 weeks after his £52 million move from Monaco. City face champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
Mendy’s injury is the same as the one suffered by his team-mate Ilkay Gundogan last December against Watford, with the Germany midfielder sidelined for nine months before making his first-team comeback a fortnight ago.
Like Gundogan against Watford, Mendy had initially tried to play on after injuring himself while making a heavy challenge on Andros Townsend in City’s 5-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, only to be substituted soon afterwards.
Mendy put on a brave face as he discussed the injury on Twitter. “Bad news guys Il [sic] be joining Injury FC on loan for a couple monthes [sic] with ruptured ACL... but will be back soon & stronger hopefully.”
Guardiola already had problems in defence with Vincent Kompany currently sidelined after suffering yet another calf injury that has kept the Belgian out for three weeks.
Mendy’s lengthy absence will increase the pressure on Guardiola, who admitted in an interview with Gary Lineker for BBC Sport’s The Premier League Show that he is expected to deliver silverware this season. Asked what success would be for him in his second season, Guardiola said: “Of course I can’t deny winning titles, everyone expects that. Always we are going to be judged on how many titles we win. Without that you’re going to be a failure. We know that.
“I am uncomfortable to speak about that [how long I will be at City] because I don’t know what’s going to happen. I am so happy to be here but it depends on the success we have. At big clubs, like Manchester City want to be, if you don’t win you cannot stay.”
Watch the full interview in The Premier League Show on BBC iPlayer. The Premier League Show is on Thursdays at 10pm on BBC Two.