Unlucky Mendy goes under knife
– Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy underwent knee surgery on Wednesday, the Premier League champions announced.
The 24-year-old was operated on after pulling out of the France squad for Friday’s Nations League game with the Netherlands.
A statement from City read: “Manchester City can confirm that Benjamin
London
Mendy has undergone surgery on his left knee tonight.
“The Frenchman, who played the full 90 minutes in the weekend’s 3-1 win over rivals Manchester United, travelled to join up with his national team before withdrawing from the squad.
“The surgery was conducted on Wednesday evening and everyone at
Berlin
Joachim Loew again gave youth a chance in Germany’s last international of 2018, for Monday’s match against the Netherlands, as his squad clear-out continues following the World Cup debacle.
Having already dropped 2014 World Cup winner Sami Khedira, Loew left Jerome Boateng out of his latest squad and now Thomas Mueller is set to again be benched for the game in Gelsenkirchen.
German head coach Loew is without Marco Reus as the Borussia Dortmund winger has a bruised foot.
After the worst 12 months in the history of the German Football Association (DFB) – Germany have never before suffered six defeats in a calendar year – change is needed, especially given their group-stage World Cup exit in Manchester City wishes Benjamin a speedy recovery.”
Mendy missed the majority of last season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Crystal Palace in September 2017.
He returned from injury in April this year and has started nine of City’s 12 Premier League games this season. – Russia.
Loew said the youthful forward line of 22-year-old striker Timo Werner, plus wingers Leroy Sane, 22, and Serge Gnabry, 23, will get another chance, having impressed in last month’s 2-1 defeat in France.
“It looks as though the trio who played against France will also play up front on Monday,” said Loew.
That would mean Mueller again starting on the bench, like he did in Paris, yet Loew insists the Bayern forward is still part of his plans.
“Thomas gives the younger players a lot of energy and is always able to decide games, even if he’s going through a difficult phase,” said Loew with Mueller currently struggling to hold down a regular place at Bayern.
“We have one year to prepare for Euro 2020 and to integrate young players.”
Only three members of the 2014 World Cup final team – Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels and Toni Kroos – started against France, with the other eight players all between 22 and 25 years of age, a selection Loew is likely to repeat.
There was some good news as Real Madrid midfielder Kroos is set to join the squad for Monday’s game.
Loew’s side are aiming to avenge their 3-0 loss in Amsterdam last month.
Mats Hummels complained of feeling unwell playing for Bayern in the league defeat at Dortmund last Saturday, but Loew said he should be fit.
“Mats had a slight sniffle before the game against Dortmund, but he hasn’t got a cold or fever,” said Loew.
Hummels’ team-mate Niklas Suele, 23, is likely to partner him in defence. –