Premier League side Manchester City reportedly paid AS Monaco £52 million to officially make Benjamin Mendy the World’s Most Expensive Defender.
The Frenchman was instrumental to the Ligue 1 champions run last season. His surging runs down the left flank helped him pair very well with striker Radamel Falco.
Apparently, the Columbian hitman and Mendy had a code they used to know when a cross was imminent. Mendy played a big part in Falcao getting the goals. The former Atletico Madrid striker netted 30 goals in 43 games – his best tally since leaving Vicente Calderon back in 2013.
Mendy was crucial to Monaco, helping them reach the last four of the Champions League. They won the league title and got to the final of the French Cup. His time at Marseille helped him trim his excesses and get ready for the high expectations at top level football. Marseille boss Marcelo ‘El Loco’ Bielsa groomed him, Leonardo Jardim added his touch at Monaco, now all’s left is for Pep Guardiola to use him to the team’s advantage.
Mendy has been one of the top rated defenders in France, he would face pressure when he tries to adjust to English football but Guardiola is confident that he would get the best from him. Hence, spending a record sum to bring him to the Etihad Stadium. His deal eclipses the sum paid to Spurs for Walker and what Chelsea received for David Luiz when the Brazilian moved to PSG in 2014.
Mendy joins Bernardo Silva, Ederson, Kyle Walker, and Danilo who have joined City this summer. He is the third full back to join after Guardiola cleared the former ones for younger legs.