We can now say that Chelsea have a decent goalkeeper between the sticks and credit must be given to the folks that recommended the new towering shot-stopper to the Blues.
Edouard Mendy has come to stay and I can confidently say Kepa Arizabalaga’s time at Chelsea is officially up.
It’s shameful to say for a goalie that was a record signing for his position and also at Chelsea. The season started on a high for the Blues with a 3:1 win away to Brighton at the Amex.
However, the Spaniard began from where he left off last season with inconsistencies and indecisions which cost the Blues last season and were sure to cost the Blues this season if they weren’t addressed.
Kepa Arrizabalaga played three games for the Blues in the Premier League before the unveiling of Edouard Mendy.
He conceded in all the games whilst making some costly errors. It was six goals conceded in three games for the Spaniard.
Frank Lampard publicly supported his number one shot-stopper although it was obvious that his patience had begun to wear thin.
Kepa rarely offered a commanding presence in the defense between the sticks and this is something that Edouard Mendy has offered consistently since his arrival from Rennes.
The Senegalese goalie offers a commanding presence and sure knows how to organize his defense. He may not be a skillful passer and distributor of the ball from the back like Kepa but he covers for those with the actual abilities he should display as a goalkeeper; making saves!
Mendy has played 10 games for Chelsea in all competitions this season.
He has made 5 appearances in the Premier League, conceding just 1 goal, 4 appearances in the UEFA Champions League with just 1 goal conceded also, and 1 game in the EFL Cup against Tottenham Hotspur where he conceded 1 goal.
Therefore, Edouard Mendy has conceded 3 goals in 10 games for the Blues in all competitions and not more than once in a game thus far. He also has 7 clean sheets to his name. This was not the case when Kepa Arrizabalaga was number one.
Frank Lampard asserted that the Senegal international would be Chelsea’s number one some weeks back and with the performances he has put in thus far, his decision cannot be disputed. It’s a no-brainer that Kepa’s time as Chelsea number one is up.
With the weaknesses he has shown, it remains to be seen if any Premier League club will come for his services.
This means that a return to Spain is on the cards and Chelsea could be forced to count their losses in this one.
Edouard Mendy is Chelsea’s number one goalie and if there were any fears that the pressure of a top club would get to him, they have since been allayed. Kepa has to get comfortable on the bench!
