PEP GUARDIOLA WAS left bemused after it was claimed that Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy travelled to Hong Kong recently.
France international Mendy is currently recovering from a knee ligament injury that has sidelined him since November.
He is not yet fit to return to action ahead of City’s clash with Chelsea on Sunday in the Premier League, and as such was given the green light by Guardiola to make a trip to Barcelona and Paris in a bid to regain his fitness.
On Friday, though, Mendy posted a short video on his Instagram Story with the location tag of Hong Kong International Airport, suggesting he had flown to Asia.
However, he has since insisted that the video was a joke.
“It was just joking with my Uber driver,” he wrote on Twitter. “I dont [sic] want no problems, Pep.”
When asked at a press conference whether the apparent trip was planned, Guardiola — who believed Mendy to still be in Barcelona — responded:
Wow. I didn’t know it. F***, he’s a lucky guy!
“Before he went he said ‘I’m going one day to Paris’, and that’s okay because that’s here, but Hong Kong is far away, so I don’t know.
I have to install Instagram on my account to control my players because I don’t know, really I don’t know. Yesterday, he was in Barcelona.”
Questioned further on whether he would be alright with Mendy making such a long trip, he said: “No, definitely not. Definitely not.”
Following a tough Six Nations opening defeat to England, Joe Schmidt will look to regroup against a dangerous Scotland side. This week, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey are joined by Bernard Jackman to assess the damage of last weekend and look ahead to the clash in Murrayfield:
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Great to see both Stockdale and O Mahony rested completely. They are needed 100% for Scotland
@Greg Mallin: haha
Interesting to see no real back 3 cover on the bench, i know he says ringrose can cover out wide but I wonder will schmidt try henshaw back at 15 again for a spell in the second half. Aki seems to have the 12 jersey nailed down but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them mixing up the order as the game goes on, either way both centres will need a good game vs what I think is the best centre partnership in world rugby.
After that it’s see how you go for a few guys, I’d say it’s very much an audition for the Scottish game for a few guys – particularly the individuals in the back row but also Cronin at hooker. I’d like to see how a back row of Ruddock, o mahony and stander go together. Killer is pushing hard for a start too but he might be more valuable off the bench.
@Jim Demps: i would like to see that br but tried but imo this br is the most balanced one we can put out. Cj is a great 6 and having a natural 7 on the pitch is always an advantage imo. Conan does need to be consistently good against top sides at international level tho and he can really cause Joe major headaches if he gets the better of this welsh br. Good shout at the 15 option but I think we’ll see Larmour go there if Rob is being taken off. It’s a very strong team, I am quietly confident. That bench has some seriously powerful impact in the forwards especially!
@Jim Demps: killer has been in great form. Him fired up coming on for last 20 odd minutes is a great option to have.
@Kevin: if you’re not in a green jersey it’s a thing of nightmares. His power is freakish, imo he’s one of if not the most improved Irish player over the last season or so.
@Ian Verdon: and in fairness to Healy, most of our other ‘stars’ through form or injury were below par in 2019 bar maybe Earl’s and even he’s carrying injuries now. But I thought Healy was superb all year, great scrummaging & carrying better than ever. I’d start him & bring on killer, no let up at all
@Tim Magner: Healy is back to his best and I’m delighted to be able to say that. As I said earlier it’s brilliant to have two Lh’s that no opposition will be looking forward to going against. Hopefully they continue this form into the coming season and if Jack can get back to his lions level up in Ulster we’ll have 3 excellent options.
@Jim Demps: Larmour to full back, Ringrose to wing would be my thinking. Or Ringrose straight to wing if we’ve a wing replacement.
Managing minutes as well as injury here I think, would be great to win but avoiding injuries will be key to hitting the Scotland game at full tilt. Based purely on form a good few of these guys are under pressure or at least should be Best, Murray, Conan , Kearney Larmour to name just a few and others because they have not played or are returning from injury are susceptible to picking up new ones Earls , Sexton, Henshaw etc.
I would actually wrap JVF in bubblewrap as OS is a potential weakness for us with Leavy injured but regardless can’t wait and forgetting provincial rivalries I hope all have stormers!!!
Is it just me or does many of the Irish squad looked to have trimmed down a few kgs? Aki definitely the most noticeable as maybe a hint that were planning on playing a more running game with the warm dry weather in Japan
@Éamann Ó Duinn: I had that same thought and was talking about with people. You noticed straight away in the English match. So, hopefully as Eddie O says” it pays dividends “ in Japan. Eire Abu !!!!!
@Fitz Mac: Especially compared to England’s Islander players plus I think the white jerseys makes them look bulkier. New Zealand and Australia trimmed down a bit at the last world cup so hoping Ireland get similar results.
Great to see both Stockdale and O’ Mahony rested completely. They are needed 100% for Scotland