Benjamin Mendy: I've stopped using my phone at Manchester City training after Pep talk

After Mendy’s starring role in a 2-0 win over Arsenal on the opening weekend, in which he claimed two assists, Guardiola tempered praise of the Frenchman with a warning that he “has a lot of things to improve” and that reducing his social media consumption would be a sensible start.

The left-back missed almost the whole of last season due to a knee injury but cultivated a big following with his comical style on Twitter and Instagram – as well as coining the #SharkTeam hashtag which accompanied City’s record-breaking Premier League campaign.

However, Mendy said he had taken Guardiola’s comments on board after another influential display, this time in Sunday’s 6-1 hammering of Huddersfield.

“I know the fans love it, but the manager is the chief of the team, so when he says something I have to listen to him," he told reporters.

"Every player understands this. So in the dressing room, everywhere, I don't pick up my phone.

"Every time I am with my phone I am on Instagram or Twitter and just now I need to be careful. When I am at the training centre, the CFA, I don't use my phone but instead I listen to the manager.

"Maybe it's true, maybe it's not. I trust him, he has more experience of the players. I go without my phone. I don't change but in the dressing room I don't use my phone at all. It's better.

“So I keep low, and on the pitch I give everything for the team and the fans."