Stats alone show just how important Edouard Mendy has become for Chelsea already, keeping five clean sheets in the six appearances he’s made in goal.
The Blues signed the French goalkeeper in the summer transfer window for £22million (Sky Sports) from Rennes, who are the team’s upcoming opponents on Wednesday night in the Champions League group stages.
Unfortunately for Chelsea shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga he’s made too many high-profile errors across the last year and the decision to bring in a new goalkeeper was a no-brainer.
Mendy has surpassed all expectation so far and has played an integral role in turning around the team’s fortunes at the back, as the clean sheets are now starting to stack up.
The 28-year-old is a colossus figure that commands his box so well and will take the pressure off his teammates by gathering aerial crosses, plus he’s also demonstrated his reflexes with a couple of eye-catching saves.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has been speaking about his new number one in his Tuesday press conference and was keen to point out how calm he is.
“What I have seen is that he has a massive work ethic to push himself. He has shown that and smiled every day. He has asked relevant questions and engaged with the players around him. I have just sensed that with him. He seems pretty laid back,” Lampard said, as quoted by Football.London.
Mendy already looks like an essential figure within the Chelsea side that is a calming influence on his teammates on the pitch, as it’s so much easier knowing you’ve got a quality player in goal behind you.
The Chelsea backline appears to be more comfortable with the colossus goalkeeper in the XI and he may be considered laid back off the pitch, but on the field he’s been vocal and looks an inspired signing that is a big piece of the puzzle for Lampard.
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