Chelsea and Al-Hilal reach agreement for 31-year-old star

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Chelsea have verbally agreed to sell Edouard Mendy

According to a transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea and Al-Hilal have a complete verbal agreement regarding the sale of Edouard Mendy.

Mendy had already agreed personal terms with the club and will sign a three-year deal with Al-Hilal, he will be now joined by Hakim Ziyech and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Mendy’s future remained uncertain after the goalkeeper did not extend his contract. The Senegalese had earlier been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Mendy, who was instrumental in Chelsea’s Champions League victory in 2020–21 under Thomas Tuchel, had an injury to his finger and missed the majority of the games of the previous season.

As a result, he lost the position to Kepa Arrizabalaga in the last campaign, who also had trouble making himself heard between the sticks. It seems the 31-year-old has now accepted his fate at Chelsea and wants to move elsewhere to make the most of his prime years.

Mendy will leave Chelsea as one of the club’s best goalkeepers in recent decades, having made 105 appearances for the Blues when he was signed from Rennes.

Mendy was able to establish himself at Chelsea in just one season, and the fact that he took the position of Blues’ most expensive custodian says a lot about his ability. He later helped the team win the Champions League. Even if he had not been appreciated enough, he had an excellent run at Chelsea during those seasons!

He could have retained his spot in the starting XI had he not suffered the hand injury. But we can’t focus too much on the past. This is a chance for us to upgrade on Mendy and bring in a complete goalkeeper who can help us play out from the back.

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Now that he is moving to a Saudi club, the Blues should be looking for Kepa’s backup who is capable of challenging him for the position for the upcoming campaign. Some wouldn’t still be convinced by the Spaniard, but if Poch wants to go down that route, then we have to trust him.