Following a season of goalkeeping troubles, Frank Lampard and Chelsea have once again delved into the depths of the transfer market to sign Édouard Mendy. The now-former Stade Rennais keeper will be hoping to be the solution to the shot-stopping dilemma at Stamford Bridge after signing a five-year deal for a reported fee of £22 million.
He enters as Chelsea’s seventh signing of the summer with Lampard keen to turn a top-four team into one fit to challenge for the Premier League title.
Chelsea Complete Signing of Édouard Mendy
Backup Option or Replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga?
When Kepa Arrizabalaga entered through the famous Stamford Bridge doors for a record fee, expectations were high. He was a young, talented and highly respected goalkeeper. Yet, just years later, he is seen as weak and mistake-prone after a poor run of form.
The form even led to the warming of the bench at times last season with 38-year-old Willy Caballero coming in when needed. Lampard would have known that Caballero was not a feasible option for the future, however. So, in comes Édouard Mendy.
The 28-year-old should act as direct competition to Kepa this season in a battle for the number one spot in which he could come out on top. It will certainly be worth keeping an eye on who Frank Lampard enlists his trust in to prevent the goals at Stamford Bridge.
If Kepa continues his poor form, one would assume the chance would present itself to new man Mendy to stake his claim for a starting place. Going off his recent performance against Liverpool, too, Mendy will be needed to step up sooner rather than later at Stamford Bridge. The Spanish shot stopper is yet to prove his worth to Frank Lampard with two mistakes in two games. Mendy’s arrival could see the end of Kepa’s time as number one.
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