Tony Cascarino claimed Edouard Mendy enjoyed his finest hour as a Chelsea player against Brentford on Saturday.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Cascarino – like so many others – eulogised Mendy’s enthralling exhibition versus the Bees.
The 29-year-old saved Thomas Tuchel’s team from surrendering all three points after they went in front through Ben Chilwell’s strike.
At least four times the Senegal international batted away Brentford’s attempts at an equaliser in the second half.
Had he not pulled out stops of the highest order, Thomas Frank would have damaged his managerial namesake quite considerably.
Best of the rest
As it turned out, Mendy made sure the victory travelled across the capital back to Stamford Bridge.
Which is why the Blues paid the bucks to bring the goalkeeper over from Rennes last September.
“He’s been sensational,” lauded Cascarino.
“I scratch my head trying to think of games he’s been poor in.
“His ability to come and get the ball as well makes the back four have huge confidence in him.
“He had his best game in a Chelsea shirt on Saturday, because Brentford were fantastic in the second.
“It was literally a one-man show of him producing saves.
“The one from (Pontus) Jansson where he literally pings it and it hits him in the head, but he’s been brave enough to come out there and face the ball.
“You know what, he might get lucky. It might hit somewhere where it’s not his hands or his feet.
“Brentford certainly deserved something out of it, but his performance was one of the best I’ve seen from a ‘keeper for many a year.”
Mendy deserves a mention
‘Keepers are seldom attributed with winning matches.
Often the acclaims go to the goal scorers or midfielder controllers.
Rarely are the men between the sticks thrown into the spotlight.
That may be part of the reason why Mendy was overlooked for the Ballon d’Or 30-man shortlist.
This is despite him being named UEFA Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year and becoming the first African goalie to win the Champions League.
Hopefully, the judges who selected the nominees will be regretting their decision to omit Chelsea’s no.1 following his heroics on the weekend.