Chelsea new boy equals 16-year long record held by Blues legend

Chelsea star Edouard Mendy matches Petr Cech record following Manchester United heroics

According to The Metro, Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has matched a 16-year-old record set by Blues legend Petr Cech.

The 28-year-old was the hero of the night as Chelsea drew 0-0 with Manchester United at Old Trafford. Mendy was alert to deny Marcus Rashford in either half and justified his stature as the number one goalkeeper at the club.

The Senegalese international is the first goalkeeper since Cech to keep a clean sheet in his first two Premier League starts for the club. The Czech international achieved that distinction during his debut campaign in 2004/05.

The goalkeeping position has been a spot of bother for Chelsea for voer a season now. Despite numerous chances, Kepa Arrizabalaga has failed to showcase he has what it takes to be a dependable number one.

Blues boss Frank Lampard revealed last week that Mendy is his current first-choice in goal. The 28-year-old has repaid his manager’s faith in him with his on-field performances.

Mendy has so far kept three clean sheets in his first four games for the club, allowing just one goal during this time. This is in stark contrast to the nine goals we conceded in five games without him.

For the first time since Thibaut Courtois in 2017, we appear to have a dependable last line of defence.

Mendy has recently spoken of learning from Cech during training.  The 38-year-old was also included in the club’s squad for the Premier League. Cech retired in 2019 and currently works as a technical advisor at Stamford Bridge.

Mendy, to his credit, has put to the rest the debate regarding our goalkeeping crisis. Hopefully, he will pick up more from Cech as long as they work together.

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Mendy’s record was achieved in shutouts against Crystal Palace and Manchester United. He missed the 3-3 draw against Southampton with an injury. That match, if not anything else, was a stark reminder of the impact he has had since joining the club.

The record is not the only parallel Mendy shares with Cech. Both players joined Chelsea from French side Rennais and immediately made an impact in goal. If anything, the next time we need a goalkeeper, we should turn our focus to the number one at Roazhon Park.