Pep Guardiola is convinced Benjamin Mendy is finally over his injury problems and ready to justify his £49million price tag.
The France international received further treatment from Guardiola’s most trusted physician Dr Ramon Cugat at the end of last season after suffering a setback following his latest knee surgery.
Now Manchester City’s medical team are confident Mendy will be able to play his first full season since his move from Monaco in 2017.
And that has only strengthened Guardiola’s belief that he can hold off signing a top-class left-back for at least another year.
Mendy has endured two injury-ravaged campaigns – suffering knee ligament damage weeks after signing from Monaco and last season sustaining metatarsal and meniscus injuries.
Guardiola was also angered by his attitude towards his recovery when turning up late for treatment after attending an Anthony Joshua fight.
It led City’s manager to consider a move for Leicester’s Ben Chilwell this summer – but those plans have been shelved, giving Mendy the chance to establish himself in his third year at the Etihad.
The form of Aleks Zinchenko also played a major part in Guardiola’s decision, with the converted winger currently first-choice left-back. He was rewarded with a new contract this week.
City are also considering triggering PSV Eindhoven left-back Angelino’s buy-back clause, which would provide them with further cover should Mendy’s fitness issues persist.
But Guardiola does not expect that to be case – and has chosen to prioritise finding top-class competition for Kyle Walker, with Danilo told he can leave for the right price.
City have identified Juventus right-back Joao Cancelo as their first-choice to replace the Brazilian.
Mendy has only made 19 starts for Guardiola’s back-to-back champions and played just four games since undergoing a meniscus operation in November.
