Pep Guardiola has had words with Benjamin Mendy after the Manchester City defender reported late for treatment on Sunday, having posted pictures of himself at Anthony Joshua’s fight with Alexander Povetkin at Wembley the previous night.
City’s manager denied there was any disciplinary problem with Mendy but said: “He arrived late, and that shouldn’t happen but it does sometimes. He should be here on time and he knows it. I spoke with him but it is not a problem with his physical condition. I expect him back when he’s fit, which should be quite soon.”
Mendy, who has a foot injury, had permission to attend the boxing, Guardiola said. “There was no problem with him going to watch the fight. Boxing is so important in England. In Spain nobody cares.”
Guardiola has confirmed Kevin De Bruyne’s recovery from a knee ligament injury is on schedule, with the midfielder expected to resume training in the next week or so.
“Everything is going well,” the Manchester City manager said. “Kevin is making the last steps now so we hope to see him back soon.” The original prognosis was that De Bruyne would be out until late October or early November, so there is a chance he could feature in some of his side’s Champions League fixtures before Christmas.
Guardiola has praised Raheem Sterling’s start to the season, claiming the winger is growing more self-assured. “I think his performance levels are higher than last season and my feeling is that he is a more mature player now,” he said. “Maybe I’m wrong but it seems to me he believes in himself more, he is taking on more responsibility. Raheem has a lot of courage, he’s aggressive when he gets the ball. That’s good, in my opinion. Our target is always to try to help players become better than they were last season.”
City themselves travel to Liverpool early next month, and with Jurgen Klopp’s side setting the pace at the top of the Premier League it is possible the Anfield fixture will loom larger in players’ minds than the next two games against Brighton and Hoffenheim.
“I don’t think so, we try to stay in the present,” Guardiola said. “The best way to prepare for the Liverpool game is to play well in the two matches that come first.”
