The City left-back was ruled out for several months after undergoing an operation on his knee recently and is not expected back until the spring.
Yet Mendy has maintained his positive outlook and communicating via various means while he convalesces in Barcelona.
So much so, his nickname for the Blues ‘Shark Team’ has taken on a life of its own, with fans and players joining in the fun with t-shirts worn prior to the victory over Stoke City.
“Usually, players who are out for a long time with injury are sad,” said Guardiola.
“They sometimes train apart and feel isolated. Mendy decided to be present!
“He is communicating on social media, WhatsApp and he calls his teammates and messages me.
“He is going to be so important outside the pitch because people like him make the atmosphere much better.”
When asked how he felt about City being nicknamed ‘Shark Team’, Pep smiled: “I really don’t know, you’ll have to ask Mendy when he is around!
“We just have to play well and keep winning games.”
