Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been in court to talk about Benjamin Mendy amid his ongoing trial for rape and sexual assault.
Still, the former Monaco left-back has continued to deny the claims made against him.
Guardiola, 51, told jurors at Chester Crown Court this afternoon he noticed Mendy when he was playing for Monaco and beat Manchester City in a match.
“We were really impressed as a club, he had the potential to play with us.
“I think he’s a generous boy and very quickly adapted to the team. I would say he was happy when he could help the other [players]. I remember, when you asked him something for his mate or for the club, always he was able to do it.
“And he’s a funny boy. He was the player that was the happiest the most – I would say more than on the pitch – in the training sessions.”
He said.
Asked by Mendy’s barrister Eleanor Laws KC if he knew Mendy enjoyed his social life, Guardiola replied: “I can see the players when we are together in the training sessions. In their private life I don’t know what they do.“
Guardiola, 51, told jurors at Chester Crown Court this afternoon he noticed Mendy when he was playing for Monaco and beat Manchester City in a match.
“We were really impressed as a club, he had the potential to play with us.
“I think he’s a generous boy and very quickly adapted to the team. I would say he was happy when he could help the other [players]. I remember, when you asked him something for his mate or for the club, always he was able to do it.
“And he’s a funny boy. He was the player that was the happiest the most – I would say more than on the pitch – in the training sessions.”
He said.
Asked by Mendy’s barrister Eleanor Laws KC if he knew Mendy enjoyed his social life, Guardiola replied: “I can see the players when we are together in the training sessions. In their private life I don’t know what they do.
Guardiola replied: “Absolutely – I’m not his father” and laughed.
“We are 22 players – I cannot control them off the pitch and if they are not ready to make training sessions I would notice immediately. That’s what I’m taking care of and paying attention to.”
He added.
“I don’t know what the effect of his life outside the pitch was on the pitch but of course I try to demand the best of him – sometimes he delivered to us, sometimes he didn’t deliver.”
Asked if there were times when Mendy’s social life appeared to be affecting his performance, Guardiola said.
Mendy’s co-accused Louis Saha Matturie, 41, of Eccles, Salford, denies six counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault relating to seven young women.
The trial continues.
Source: The Mirror
