Kepa substitute is 'very influential', extremely rated by membership legend Petr Cech, and was queuing at a job centre 5 years in the past

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Simply two video games into the brand new season and Chelsea’s want for a brand new shot-stopper couldn’t be extra evident.

They’ve already made SIX main signings this summer season however, fortunately, their seventh performed deal is edging ever nearer.

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is ready to hitch Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Malang Sarr, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz on the glittering checklist of acquisitions.

Frank Lampard has already spent over £200million in the transfer window and he’s not stopping there — Frank Lampard has already spent over £200million within the switch window and he’s not stopping there

talkSPORT understands that Chelsea have agreed a £20million price with Rennes and the swoop will take the Blues’ summer season spending to close £250million.

Mendy is because of full the ultimate components of the deal this week and an official announcement is anticipated imminently.

This might transform a very powerful signing of Chelsea’s switch window, with Frank Lampard having seemingly run out of endurance with file signing Kepa Arrizabalaga, whereas his error in opposition to Liverpool confirmed it was the best determination.

However what sort of goalkeeper are Chelsea shopping for and may the Senegal worldwide make them lifelike challengers to the Reds’ top-flight crown?

talkSPORT.com has taken an in-depth have a look at Mendy as he closes in on a transfer to Stamford Bridge.

This is the man set to replace Kepa — That is the person set to interchange Kepa

Membership profession up to now?

It wouldn’t be impolite to say Mendy was an unknown amount till final season as he actually made his title at Rennes.

He joined them from fellow French membership Reims final summer season, having spent three years there.

Mendy was a part of the Reims squad that gained promotion to Ligue 1 within the 2017/18 season and a formidable first season within the French prime flight bought him Reims’ Participant of the Yr award and noticed him shortlisted for the league’s finest goalkeeper award.

This picture proves Mendy will be ready for the physicality of the Premier League — This image proves Mendy can be prepared for the physicality of the Premier League

He then joined Rennes and helped them to a third-place end in a shortened season as a consequence of coronavirus.

Earlier than Reims, Mendy performed for Marseille’s B group in 2015/16 and began his profession at Cherbourg, who have been within the third tier of French soccer on the time.

Between these two golf equipment, French soccer knowledgeable Matt Spiro revealed Mendy even went to the native job centre earlier than he joined Marseille.

Suffice to say, Chelsea can be a large step up.

Worldwide expertise?

Mendy is incomes his stripes on the worldwide stage, clocking up seven appearances for the Senegal nationwide group since making his debut in November 2018.

Though he was born in France, Mendy was eligible for Senegal by means of his mom and Guinea-Bissau by means of his father.

He acquired a call-up for the Guinea-Bissau squad in November 2016 for some friendlies however later pledged his future to Senegal.

Mendy began the primary two video games of Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations marketing campaign in 2019 earlier than sustaining a hand damage which dominated him out for many of the match. Senegal have been overwhelmed by Algeria within the closing.

Mendy was Aliou Cisse’s first choice keeper for Senegal but a hand injury cut his AFCON 2019 short — Mendy was Aliou Cisse’s first selection keeper for Senegal however a hand damage minimize his AFCON 2019 quick

What’s been stated about him?

As talked about, the soon-to-be Chelsea participant remains to be a comparatively unknown amount. He’s a late bloomer and his rise has been like Leicester striker Jamie Vardy’s.

The reviews recommend Chelsea have been advised to signal him by legendary glovesman Petr Cech, who now works as a technical and efficiency adviser for the membership he served as a participant for eleven years.

He’s seen as Chelsea’s best ever goalkeeper so there’s no larger praise to a keeper trying to go to Stamford Bridge.

If Mendy is anywhere near Cech’s level, Chelsea are onto a winner — If Mendy is wherever close to Cech’s stage, Chelsea are onto a winner

Nonetheless, it’s understood Mendy was on Chelsea’s radar earlier than he joined Rennes, with Blues goalkeeping scout Christophe Lollichon waxing lyrical in regards to the participant final yr.

He advised Le Phoceen: “He has reached maturity, with a reasonably uncommon path, and it’s all the extra meritorious.

“He’s what I name a proactive, very influential goalkeeper who doesn’t endure the sport.

“Reims actually did a fantastic job with him. Possibly at Marseille they might not detect the expertise he had in him, but it surely was maybe not the best time too.

“In any case, he’s a fantastic goalkeeper that we essentially comply with within the Premier League.

“If you end up almost 2 metres (6ft 6in), with such a floor recreation, such placement and initiative-taking as he has, if recruiters don’t have a look at him, it’s as a result of they’ve to alter jobs (laughs).”