The Edouard Mendy Story : From Rock Bottom To Stardom
Chelsea FC. the reigning European champions. A very well drilled team currently occupying the top spot of the premiership table. Arguably with the best defense across Europe. Who have only conceded once in the champions league. And thrice in the premier league. All three of those are from set plays, so Chelsea are yet to concede a goal from open play. Defenders like Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta are some famous names. But the goalkeeper, yes the goalkeeper is a rather unfamiliar personality. Very unfamiliar to be precise. Came into the limelight only last year. Coming from Rennes, boyhood club of Chelsea legend Petr Cech, the Senegalese shot stopper was hand picked by Chelsea's current director of football, Petr Cech himself. And Edouard Mendy's story from the lining up for a job in a shop, to being the best goalkeeper in the world arguably, I must say, is quite remarkable.
6 years ago. Mendy, Chelsea's current first choice, was playing in Cherbourg. A club from that city, in the 5th division of France. Cherbourg FC decided not to extend his contract with Mendy at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Mendy could not find his agent at that time. After many attempts to contact with his agent, he advised Mendy to quit football and look for another job. It is difficult to live in France due to unemployment, he also had a pregnant girlfriend. Mendy was skeptical about his career in football at the time, thinking of finding a new job. Then his brother and the club "La Havre" in his hometown Paris came forward to help. La Havre gave Mendy the opportunity to train with them regularly, as well as her brother working regularly to get her to practice shot stopping. One year went by like this. Mendy later said that it was difficult to stay away from football for more than a year for a footballer. Then a year later, God gave Mendy another chance to make a fresh start. Mendy got his bit of "ray of hope" just right there.
After one season, Ligue 2 club Reims bought Mendy as their second choice goalkeeper. But after the main goalkeeper was given a red card in the fifth match of the league, Mendy used the opportunity to take the stage and make s statement for himself. And eventually became Reims's first choice goalkeeper. In 34 matches in Ligue 2, Mendy played the biggest role in getting Reims promoted to Ligue 1, by getting 18 clean sheets. Mendy was there for another year, and after that Ligue 1 club Rennes signing Mendy for 4 million euros the following season. Mendy was having a great first season with Rennes. Rennes realized that they would not be able to keep Mendy for long. Premier League club Chelsea was keeping an eye on Mendy since the time of Reims. After 2 years of monitoring, Chelsea were to buy Mendy of course by Cech's supervision. After the first Ligue 1 match of the 2020/21 season, Chelsea brought Mendy to London with 22 million pounds. Mendy then expressed his gratitude for Chelsea and especially Petr Cech. And very obviously he expressed that how much he was overwhelmed that he was scouted and was deemed a proper fit for a club like Chelsea, that too by none other than Petr Cech.
Everyone knows his next story. Mendy had 5 clean sheets in the first 5 matches when he came to Chelsea. Chelsea have kept 32 clean sheet in 56 matches so far. Mendy's story is unique, beautiful, inspiring. Willpower and strong morale were able to bring Mendy to where he was 6 years ago. And he is well on his way to conquer the rest of the honors.