Chelsea have confirmed the capture of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Rennes for £22 million, with the new arrival signing a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
The Senegalese international has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence having been released by French third-tier club Cherbourg just six years ago.
Mendy is expected to replace the error-prone Kepa Arrizabalaga after the Spaniard made yet another mistake leading to Liverpool’s second goal on Sunday.
The Blues’ 28-year-old new arrival told the club’s official website:
I am so excited to be joining Chelsea. It’s a dream for me to be a part of this exciting squad and to work with Frank Lampard and all of his coaching staff.’
Having spent the entirety of his career to date in France, Mendy could make his Premier League debut on Saturday against West Brom.
The eight-times capped Senegal international comes in with high expectations as Lampard looks to guide a heavily reinforced Chelsea squad towards a title challenge.
It is currently unknown what the keeper’s arrival will mean for Arrizabalaga. The world-record signing for a goalkeeper could be left to battle it out with Willy Caballero for a place on the Chelsea bench.
Caballero displaced the Spanish stopper towards the end of last season and kept a clean sheet last night as Lampard’s side beat Barnsley 6-0 in the Carabao Cup third round.
