BY: Mould Adelana
The Rennes goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy is scheduled to complete his long-anticipated move to Chelsea on Tuesday, Frank Lampard has said.
The Senegal international was undergoing a medical at Chelsea on Tuesday lunchtime, with Blues boss Lampard expecting the 28-year-old to complete his move shortly afterwards.
Mendy’s arrival will bring competition for Spain goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has struggled for form and confidence.
Kepa produced his latest pivotal mistake in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the Premier League, and Mendy’s arrival will put the £72million Spain star’s regular place under great pressure.
“Mendy’s having a medical as we speak, so subject to that being OK later on he’ll become our player at that point,” Lampard said.
“With Mendy coming in its more competition, so every reaction will have to be positive around that from Kepa.
“Mendy as he comes in himself will push to try and play in this team; we know that. We know the standards that are required from a goalkeeper in this team, so we have to push for that.”
Frank Lampard confirmed technical director Petr Cech has influenced Edouard Mendy’s signing, given the former Chelsea stopper’s specialist goalkeeping knowledge and previous ties with Rennes.
“Petr was important in that because goalkeeper is a very particular position and Petr Cech obviously knows that role very well,” said Lampard.
“And Petr will obviously have a big say in this situation from my point of view, and I lean heavily on him. So he was very influential.”