Mendy is just like Balotelli, but skipper just loves him

VINCENT Kompany says that Benjamin Mendy has become the new Mario Balotelli at City.

But the Blues skipper believes the French left-back will back up his lively personality with some top-class performances on the field as well – which Balotelli failed to do on a consistent basis.

The Italian striker became a cult figure among City fans for his barmy behaviour off the field.

He set his bathroom ablaze by letting off fireworks, wore a chicken hat and when asked by police why he had £13,000 in the glovebox of his car, replied: “Because I am rich.”

Mendy has not quite hit those heights, but his infectious sense of fun and his profile on social media have led to inevitable comparisons.

He lit up City’s first league game with two assists as they won 2-0 at Arsenal – and was given a jovial warning by manager Pep Guardiola about his fondness for social media.

The Blues boss also said that Mendy’s adventurous nature on the field needs to be curbed, and said “Sometimes we feel like killing him.”

That was reminiscent of Roberto Mancini’s statement that he sometimes felt like giving Balotelli a ‘punch in the head’.

Kompany also talked about the similarities between the two men, saying: “We had Balotelli, now we have Mendy. But Mendy has a heart of gold – he is such a nice person, and a character.

“He doesn’t see the same boundaries as we sometimes do. The lines are blurred sometimes between what should be done and what shouldn’t.

“But in Manchester, more than anywhere else, we can embrace a personality like this, and they love him for that reason.

“I love him for what he offers on the pitch. It’s a big season for him and I hope we’ll see the best of him as well.”