OPINION
Manchester City may have dished out another thrashing in a 6-1 win over Southampton on Sunday, but there was one player who attracted the ire of many supporters for his performance.
Left-back Benjamin Mendy put in another erratic display for City which brought his defensive work into question once again, with many fans slamming the France international on Twitter.
Mendy is obviously an attacking full-back who likes to get forward and provide an outlet for City on the left flank, with his pinpoint crossing already bringing several assists this season.
However, a left-back’s primary function is to defend, and while his poor efforts at the back were not fully exploited by a poor Southampton side, they will be when City come up against tougher opponents.
City’s other options at left-back this season have included Fabian Delph and Aymeric Laporte, but both are more comfortable in their natural positions elsewhere.
The only other natural left-back in the squad is the rarely-seen Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has made just three appearances for the first-team this season.
The 21-year-old flyer impressed when drafted into the side last season, but the sheer depth of the City squad has hugely limited his chances this season.
However, he is a much better defender than Mendy is, and he will be dying for a chance to impress after being stuck on the sidelines this term.
Pep must now unleash the Ukraine international at some point soon, especially if Mendy’s defensive troubles continue.
City may be sitting pretty now but they cannot afford any slip-ups with the title race set to be a close one, and the reinstatement of Zinchenko will help ensure that does not happen.