Rodgers praises the professionalism of non-playing Mendy
MIDFIELDER FACES FIRST HALF OF SEASON ON THE SIDELINES
BRENDAN Rodgers has praised “unbelievable professional” Papy Mendy as he faces half a season watching from the stands.
The Leicester City manager left the French midfielder out of both the Premier League and Europa League squads last week, meaning he is only eligible to play in Carabao Cup fixtures between now and January.
In the Europa League squad, Mendy was omitted along with injured defenders James Justin and Wesley Fofana, while in the Premier League squad, where the rules are less strict, he was the only senior player to miss out.
Centre-back Filip Benkovic was a surprise inclusion in both, with Rodgers explaining the defensive injury situation, as well as the Croatian’s “shift in mentality”, saw him earn a place.
Mendy nearly left City last week, with a loan deal agreed with Galatasaray – the Turkish transfer window not closing until last Wednesday – but the switch could not be finalised.
The 29-year-old may have not needed to look elsewhere had Hamza Choudhury’s proposed move not also broken down at the last minute.
The homegrown midfielder nearly headed to Newcastle on loan on deadline day.
Now, Mendy has to wait until the January transfer window before he will get another chance to leave.
“It was unfortunate for Papy because there were one or two opportunities for him to go out and it didn’t quite materialise,” Rodgers said.
“One thing I know with Papy is that he’s an unbelievable professional.
“I think back to my first season where he hardly played for the first six months, and then he came into a game against West Ham.
One thing I know with Papy is that he’s an unbelievable professional
Brendan Rodgers
“Throughout all that time, his attitude, his energy, his mentality never wavered.
“He’s a brilliant professional who comes in every day to do his best. He supports his team.
“Because of the numbers and because of the situation that we were in, and with the possibility of him going out, he wasn’t included in the squad.
“He’s a player that will come back in and continue to work. If he’s not going to be involved so much, it’s something he’ll look at again in January.”
Mendy looked like he would leave City in January 2020, midway through Rodgers’ first full season, but gradually won the boss over, and in the summer of 2020, he signed a new three-year contract with the club.
Last season, he was ahead of
Choudhury in the midfield pecking order for the majority of the campaign, playing 29 times as back-up to Wilfred Ndidi.
In the summer just gone, City strengthened their midfield ranks with Boubakary Soumare and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.