Edouard Mendy, the Flying Lion of Chelsea

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, but Edouard Mendy is a Lion who flies. On Saturday, the Senegalese international goalkeeper has just made six saves in the mythical Anfield stadium against Liverpool, the club of his compatriot Sadio Mané, during the clash of the 3rd day of the Premier League. A personal record in all competitions in a single game since he joined Chelsea last summer from Stade Rennais.

Newly named the best goalkeeper of the year by UEFA, Edouard Mendy is at the top of his game. The Chelsea goalkeeper made six saves against Liverpool’s formidable African attacking duo Salah-Mané on Saturday night in the third round of the Premier League.

No other goalkeeper has made more saves this season. Mendy produced a solid performance against the Reds, helping Chelsea bring home a valuable point from this trip. To top it off, he was named “Man of Match”.

Before his transfer to Chelsea, Edouard Mendy (29) was relatively unknown as he played for Stade Rennais in the French Ligue 1. However, the Senegalese turned into the spotlight

after joining the Blues in a £22 million deal, as German coach Thomas Tuchel’s men sought to find more serenity at the back, as mistakes by Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga cost the team dearly.

Even if some pessimists doubted the Senegalese international goalkeeper’s ability to impose himself at the Blues of Chelsea, he still managed to put everyone in agreement on his potential. He played a key role in Chelsea’s Champions League win over Manchester City (1-0), making crucial saves.

With nine games out of 12 without conceding a goal, a feat that earned him the European goalkeeper of the year award, Edouard Mendy has now written his name in the gold letter in the history of European soccer. The second African goalkeeper to win the C1, after the Zimbabwean of Liverpool Bruce David Grobbelaar (1984).