Chelsea manager Graham Potter has reportedly told goalkeeper Edouard Mendy that he can leave Stamford Bridge this summer, according to The Mirror.
It is difficult to describe how unlucky the 31-year-old shot-stopper has been this season.
At the start of the season, he was still the first-choice goalkeeper under former manager Thomas Tuchel.
The managerial change, however, meant he had to fight for his spot in the team when Potter replaced the German tactician.
Unfortunately for Mendy, he was recovering from a shoulder injury when Potter arrived, which meant Kepa Arrizabalga had to be the number one.
It was not until the end of October when Arrizabalaga picked up a foot injury that Mendy managed to reclaim his place between the sticks. It did not last long, unfortunately, due to the international break.
The situation got worse for the Senegal international after he fractured his finger during training after returning from the World Cup. For a goalkeeper, it was a huge problem.
He had to undergo surgery and a two-month rehabilitation.
The former Rennes goalkeeper had not returned to team training until just a few days ago on Tuesday.
Aside from questionable shot-stopping in the last two games, Arrizabalaga has made a very strong case for his being the first-choice goalkeeper.
The Spain international’s 77.8 per cent save percentage is the highest in the Premier League (per FBref).
That said, there was also nothing Mendy could have done to challenge for the spot.
Now, according to the Mirror, Potter has told him that he will be allowed to leave Chelsea this summer despite still having over two years in his deal.
Reports suggest that Chelsea are looking to sign a new goalkeeper, so the fact that Mendy, who is on a lower salary than Arrizabalaga, would likely be easier to offload might have been the reason behind the decision.
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