Chelsea have begun talks with Rennes for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy after ending interest in Lille’s Mike Maignan
Sky Sports reports Chelsea are turning to Rennes’ Edouard Mendy after failing to agree on a fee with Lille for Mike Maignan.
Maignan looked to be Chelsea’s main target to provide competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga. Lille’s asking price of £32m caused talks between the clubs to breakdown.
The Blues will want to put all their efforts into the deal as strengthening the keeper position is a must. Chelsea’s technical director Petr Cech has strong links to Rennes and will play a key role in a potential deal.
Who is Edouard Mendy?
A Senegal international who has been capped 8 times, he is a late bloomer having only signed his first professional contract at 24. Mendy only joined Rennes last summer signing from Reims. In his first season, he played a key part in the French club to seal an impressive third-place finish in 2019/20.
What would Mendy add to Chelsea?
At 1.97m tall, Mendy is a formidable presence. His frame helped him achieve an impressive 0.8 goals conceded per 90, second-lowest in Ligue 1.
His large frame will help him impose his presence when dealing with opposition strikers. Mendy has cat-like reflexes for a tall keeper and can save shots from long range.
Mendy will provide much-needed competition for Kepa who had an awful 2019/20 season. A positive for Chelsea is that Mendy is coming into his prime years as a keeper. Mendy will fancy his chances to hold down a starting place for Chelsea.
Transfer Verdict
Reports suggest a fee of around £18m would be enough for Rennes to part with Mendy. An absolute bargain fee for a player just reaching the surface of his potential. A low-risk high reward transfer for Chelsea. Frank Lampard will hope the Blues can get a deal done as he looks to address his goalkeeper situation.
