Mendy Comes Good For Chelsea

There has been a dramatic improvement in the Blues’ defensive output since Mendy replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga.

None of Chelsea’s summer signings have had such a dramatic effect on the Blues’ fortunes this season than Edouard Mendy.

Mendy is set for a reunion with former club Rennes as Chelsea prepare for their Champions League showdown on Wednesday.

The goalkeeper has not conceded a goal in his last 457 minutes, with five clean sheets from six appearances.
Given the west London outfit shipped 54 Premier League goals last season, few saw their transformation with a new man between the posts coming quite this quickly.

Mendy’s ability is underpinned by not just his size – at 6’6″ – but also his speed.

That was highlighted both by his quick reactions to Kurt Zouma missing an early cross against Burnley on Saturday as well as his speed in closing down Ashley Barnes, who was through on goal.

Overall, Mendy’s presence has lifted the performance levels of the defenders in front of him. That is in contrast to last season when Chelsea’s defenders appeared to lose confidence in Kepa’s shot-stopping.

The £72m signing registered the worst save rate in the League last season at 53.47 percent.

Mendy was signed on the back of a save rate of 76.25% last season in Ligue 1, and that has risen since joining Chelsea to 80%.

The statistics show that Chelsea has a goalkeeper who improves their chances to put together wins to satisfy expectations.

Mendy is the first goalkeeper since Petr Cech to secure three clean sheets in his first 3 games for Chelsea.