L’Equipe have a Monday article on Benjamin Mendy and his current curious situation between Manchester City and the French national team.
Last week, Didier Deschamps announced Mendy wouldn’t be in the current France squad because of an injury, presented as a ‘medical secret’, and that he’d be replaced by Everton summer signing Lucas Digne.
But Mendy then started Manchester City’s match against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, which suggested there’s certainly no pressing injury problem. The fullback wouldn’t have been required to join up with his country until today.
The French newspaper believe Deschamps’ decision is two-fold.
Firstly, he didn’t want to take even the slightest risk that Mendy isn’t completely fit because he didn’t feel the player was right physically during the World Cup.
Secondly, he wanted to ‘alert’ the player, give him a nudge that his national squad place isn’t as nailed on as he may believe.
Pep Guardiola’s criticism of Mendy being late for a recovery session recently is covered, and it’s stated Deschamps ‘made similar reproaches’ during the tournament in Russia.
