Chelsea has been one of the world’s best sides since Thomas Tuchel took charge in January. The Blues catapulted themselves into the Premier League’s top four, made the FA Cup final and won their second Champions League in history under the German gaffer. They now sit atop the league heading into matchweek 10. Tuchel came in and instantly transformed the side by building from the back first. A lot has been made about the team’s switch to the 3-4-3 to solidify the defense with the centerbacks earning a lot of praise for their world class displays. However, there hasn’t been enough talk about the performances by those between the sticks.
This time last year, Edouard Mendy was just getting settled in at Chelsea after making his £22 million move over from Rennes. Blues supporters knew they were getting a hidden gem in the Senegalese shot stopper, but nobody could’ve predicted what came next. Mendy went from being unemployed to guiding Chelsea to a Champions League crown in a matter of years, so why aren’t people discussing him when debating elite keepers?
It’s about time Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy receives some credit for his incredible achievements over the last few seasons
The most obvious sign of disrespect recently was leaving Mendy off the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist. Although goalkeepers are never well represented on the list, if there was one individual who deserved to represent the position amongst the nominees, it was Mendy. One shot stopper did make it, Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, which was quite baffling. Donnarumma is surely the most exciting young keeper in the game, but he’s not better than Mendy at this moment in time. In fact, one would be hard pressed to find any goalkeeper in world football who is better right now than Chelsea’s No. 1.
Mendy wrapped up his maiden Premier League campaign second in the league for clean sheets (16) only behind Ederson (19). The catch? The Manchester City shot stopper played in five more matches. Mendy is tied at the top of the Premier League clean sheet list (5) so far this season though, despite the Blues already taking on the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City within their first nine matches. They also played Tottenham but Kepa Arrizabalaga got the nod in goal for that contest. As the opposition gets easier over the next few weeks, Mendy will have more opportunities to boost his already impressive numbers.
It’s not all been smooth sailing for the Senegalese keeper either. Chelsea’s defense is undoubtedly one of the best in Europe, the fixture list has taken its toll this season though. Tuchel has been forced to rotate many of the players in his starting XI, especially against some of the Blues’ mid-table opposition. Brentford tested the resiliency of Chelsea in the second half of the west London Derby. The Bees’ relentless press saw Mendy called into action on numerous occasions. His heroics allowed the Blues to leave the Brentford Community Stadium with all three points.
Mendy has allowed the least amount of goals (3) amongst players who have played a full 90 minutes more than once this year. He is striving to win the English top flight’s Golden Glove award for the current campaign, which is awarded to the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets. If he comes out on top by early 2022, the award would represent his second individual award won this season. Mendy was named the Champions League Goalkeeper of the Year at the UCL draw a few weeks ago for his record-setting 2020/21 campaign. Factor in the UCL itself and the Super League and Mendy is practically drowning in silverware.
The 29-year-old passes every test. His performances, accolades and statistics speak for themselves. If that’s still not enough, Mendy is becoming a role model for younger keepers as he continues to pave the way for goalkeepers of color. The little-known keeper who tended net for a small Ligue 1 side just two seasons ago is finally becoming a household name in world football. Still, this is not enough. It’s about time we as fans catapult Mendy into the conversation for the world’s best goalkeeper. Debates surrounding the true No. 1 in the world are arbitrary considering the existing bias’ around names such as Manuel Neuer, Alisson, Donnarumma and others, but Mendy more than deserves his seat at the table.
Where do you think Mendy ranks amongst the world’s best goalkeepers? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!