LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on January 23, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
Chelsea have released a video of Edouard Mendy reuniting with teammates out in Abu Dhabi, and Antonio Rudiger’s response to his return was the pick of the bunch.
Mendy, 29, has rejoined the Chelsea squad after a brilliant time away winning the Africa Cup of Nations with his country Senegal. He ended up saving a spot-kick during the win against Egypt in the final on penalties.
The £22million goalkeeper is back with his Blues teammates ahead of Wednesday’s Club World Cup semi-final tie against Al Hilal. However, a decision is yet to be made on if he or Kepa Arrizabalaga will start in net today.
Chelsea’s Twitter video shares Mendy embracing with several of his teammates upon his return. Blues defender Rudiger even mimed bowing down to the new AFCON winner.
Chelsea were extremely fortunate to have Petr Cech as their world-class goalkeeper for over a decade earlier in the Premier League years.
It may be impossible for anyone to surpass his Stamford Bridge legacy, but the Blues currently have a shot-stopper who’s playing at that similar elite level.
Mendy’s record of 37 clean sheets in 70 Chelsea appearances speaks for itself.
He’s a colossus presence in his box that makes goalkeeping look easy at times with his positioning, handling and reflexes.
His reputation has only grown further after starring in Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph, which comes so soon after he won the Champions League for his club last May.
Kepa will be unfortunate to make way in the starting XI after some really encouraging individual performances that prove he’s far from done at the top level.
It’ll be impossible to leave out a player in Mendy who’s in the form of his life, though.
