The Scout looks at players expected to progress and make a big impact in 2018/19 Fantasy Premier League.
Benjamin Mendy (MCI)
Mendy can be one of the top defenders in Fantasy in the upcoming campaign.
Along with Manchester City team-mate Kyle Walker, Mendy was one of the most expensive defenders in the game in 2017/18, starting at £6.5m.
The left-back signed in the summer immediately showed his worth, scoring 17 points in his first three Premier League starts.
This mirrored his form for Monaco in 2016/17, when he supplied five assists in 25 Ligue 1 appearances.
Injury setback
But Mendy sustained a serious knee injury against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 6, in September, and did not start another match in 2017/18.
The Frenchman only made a further three substitute appearances in the final Gameweeks as Pep Guardiola used Fabian Delph as his main left-back.
But he is fit and Mendy is ready to be a key player for Man City and FPL managers.
Prolific crosser
The statistics highlight his attacking potential.
In only 361 minutes, Mendy created nine goalscoring chances and fired five shots on goal.
And despite such limited pitch time, his eight successful open-play crosses were bettered by only two team-mates: Kevin De Bruyne, with 14, and Leroy Sane, nine.
Man City full-backs 2017/18
| Mendy | Walker | Danilo | Delph | |
| Mins/succ. cross | 45.1 | 557.4 | 447.0 | 582.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mins/chance created | 40.1 | 92.9 | 223.5 | 158.7 |
| Mins/shot | 72.2 | 214.4 | 70.6 | 174.6 |
City’s defensive record also offers the potential for more Mendy points.
Their 27 goals conceded were fewer than any other side.
And only Manchester United bettered them for clean sheets, by 19 to 18.
Otamendi replacement?
Man City's Nicolas Otamendi was the most-bought defender in the season just gone.
His ability to combine goals and clean sheets meant he was acquired by 2.8million new owners.
But Mendy has the potential to surpass the Argentinian to become City’s standout defender.
Also in this series
Part 1: FPL rising stars: Jordan Pickford
Part 2: FPL rising stars: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Part 3: FPL rising stars: Ben Chilwell
Part 5: FPL rising stars: Roberto Pereyra
Part 6: FPL rising stars: Jose Izquierdo
Part 7: FPL rising stars: Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Part 8: FPL rising stars: Jesse Lingard
Part 9: FPL rising stars: Manuel Lanzini
Part 10: FPL rising stars: Chris Wood
Part 11: FPL rising stars: Cenk Tosun
Part 12: FPL rising stars: Steve Mounie
Part 13: FPL rising stars: Kelechi Iheanacho
