Benjamin Mendy targets return and dismisses clash with his manager | OneFootball

French left-back Benjamin Mendy has been limited by a seemingly endless string of injuries since joining Manchester City in 2017.

The 24-year-old is currently in the middle of another spell on the sidelines, this time recovering from a knee surgery competed in November.

Manchester City’s dynamic defender is expected back on the pitch around February and joined French television programme Canal Football Club on Sunday

Before suffering his latest knee injury, Mendy had reportedly faced internal discipline at City due to tardiness.

Perceived friction between the effervescent left-back and manager Pep Guardiola led to speculation that Mendy could be on the chopping block at the Etihad.

Speaking on CFC, Mendy dispelled any notion of ill-will between himself and his manager.

“With Guardiola, it’s going really well,” Mendy said. “We have a very good relationship and it’s always been like that going back to the time of my transfer.”

Despite seeing his participation restricted in City’s Premier League campaign and France’s run in the World Cup, Mendy lifted both trophies.

“Today, I’m at one of the best football clubs in the world. But I’m still missing a major title with City, the trophy with big ears,” he said referring to the Champions League prize.

In the Frenchman’s absence, Guardiola has deployed both Englishman Fabian Delph and 22-year-old Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back.

The former Marseille defender half-jokingly defended his claim to being one of the world’s best in his position.

Mendy remains the world’s second most expensive defender behind only Virgil Van Dijk. The decorated full-back credited fantastic managers for his rise in the game, including Marcelo Bielsa, Leonardo Jardim, and Guardiola.