Chelsea coach, Frank Lampard has been thoroughly satisfied with the new Senegalese goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy as he made his debut in the Carabao Cup against Tottenham. The goalkeeper moved to Stamford Bridge from Ligue 1 club, Rennes which saw a £22million spending from Chelsea.
The Blues’ coach was frustrated with the piss-poor form of his Spanish keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga throughout the previous season which continued this season too. He was desperate to sign a new face so as to provide competition or maybe replace Kepa from the Chelsea goal.
Mendy started his first match in the fourth-round Carabao Cup face-off in Tottenham Stadium. Although he seemed nervous in the first quarter after misjudging a cross but made an impressive save of Sergio Reguilon in the match later to keep Chelsea’s lead.
He was beaten by Erik Lamela’s shot with just seven minutes left for the final whistle to give Spurs an equalizer. He was unable to save any spot-kicks too in the tie-breaker where the Blues lost 5-4 after Mason Mount’s miss.
But the 28 years old’s positive attitude throughout the match has been hailed by coach Frank Lampard in the post-match interview. Lampard knows it is too much to ask in the debut match from any player.
“I thought he was very good,’ said the Chelsea boss to Sportstar after his side’s League Cup exit.”
“He made a couple of good saves, one particularly good save.”
“He came and caught a few balls, even the one where he came and didn’t catch, the idea that he wants to be positive is not a bad thing. Very, very pleased with every part of his game, really,” he added.
Edouard Mendy is likely to make his debut in the Premier League against Crystal Palace. His performance has surely moved him up the pecking order ahead of Kepa and Willy Caballero.
The fans will hope that Mendy settles in his new club very quickly and become the first choice keeper as Lampard’s boys will gear up to go back to winning terms once again.
