Chelsea’s Senegalese keeper Edouard Mendy has expressed that the reason he was able to settle down quickly at Stamford Bridge was due to the relationship that the players and staff have.
Mendy moved from Ligue 1 club, Rennes to Chelsea in this summer transfer window and since then, he has kept nine clean sheets in total in all the competitions. He has a five-year contract with the west London club and surely his performances were more than enough to replace Kepa between the sticks.
In an interview, he has opened up about his competition with the Spanish keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga and how he has felt so comfortable in the presence of the French-speaking defenders in the team.
“Everyone has done everything to help me integrate as smoothly as possible, the players, the staff, they have all helped me,” Mendy told the club website.
“I respond to that by devoting myself to being the best goalkeeper I can be on the pitch, by doing what I can every day in training and in matches. I will continue like that to keep trying to help the team.
“I have joined a very good club. I feel good in this team. I have got to know them and gained an affinity with them which helps during games. Of course with Kurt and Thiago they speak French which is good for me, but I can communicate well with the other players too and I am really enjoying it.”
The Senegal international also opened about how he felt when he made the trip to Roazhon Park when Chelsea had to face his former club, Rennes in the Champions League group stage match.
He had mixed feelings going to start the match against the club that gave him so much and said that he felt very emotional. His team although won the match 2-1 courtesy to Olivier Giroud’s late winner.
“Before the match, I had a lot of emotions because I know the journey to the ground and then when I saw the stadium I had a wonderful feeling inside,” he continued.
“Then my thoughts turned to the principle feeling which was to win the match and secure qualification. That’s what we did. It was a difficult game, we knew it would be, but we showed great spirit to fight until the end.
“After the game, it was great to see everyone who works around the stadium, the players and the staff and talk to them.”
Mendy will prepare for the clash against Leeds United in the Premier League game to retain their position in the top four. It won’t be an easy match as Leeds has been a hurdle for the big teams this season.
