Edouard Mendy has established himself as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper after “showing his quality”, says boss Frank Lampard.
Mendy, who joined from Rennes in September, produced an excellent save to help the Blues open their Champions League campaign with a hard-earned point against Europa League holders Sevilla.
In a game of few clear-cut chances, the Senegal international marked his return from injury by clawing away Nemanja Gudelj’s header after it had flicked off Kurt Zouma.
It was a pivotal moment of the game and Lampard praised his recent signing, who was brought in to strengthen his options following the erratic form of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Chelsea’s £71m signing from Athletic Bilbao in August 2018.
Asked if Mendy is already Chelsea’s number one, Lampard said: “At the moment, yes. He’s shown his quality.
“The way he’s played, he’s played very well, that’s two clean sheets for him already.
“As it stands he is the number one but that’s always up for grabs. But the way he’s playing I’m very happy.”
In what was Chelsea’s first goalless draw under Lampard, the Blues produced a solid defensive performance without managing to score at the other end.
Zouma and Ben Chilwell both headed chances straight at goalkeeper Yassine Bounou before Sevilla went close to taking the lead in spectacular fashion through substitute Joan Jordan’s dipping volley.
With Group E rivals Rennes held 1-1 in France, Chelsea head to Russia next Wednesday to face Krasnodar with all four teams on one point.
Positives for Lampard despite draw
Chelsea have started this season with a flurry of goals at one end of the pitch – and defensive implosions at the other.
While they failed to score for only the second time in eight games this season, Lampard’s side at least managed a clean sheet after a much-improved performance at the back.
Fifty-eight days after appearing in the final for Paris St-Germain, Thiago Silva returned to the Champions League stage as Lampard shuffled his defence after conceding three against Southampton last Saturday.
Reece James also marked his return to the defence with a solid display on a night Lampard became only the second Englishman to manage in two Champions League campaigns, after Sir Bobby Robson.
“The clean sheet was a big deal for us,” added Lampard.
“Seville are a top team in European football. The concentration and focus to get the result was big from the team.
“We made a lot of good decisions, so it’s a really nice place for us to build from.”
New signings bedding in
Chelsea spent £250m during the summer transfer window, with five of their recent additions starting this game.
Three – Mendy, Chilwell and Silva – impressed at the back as the Blues produced their best defensive performance of the season to stop the Spanish visitors from scoring on the night 38-year-old keeper Petr Cech, who retired in 2019, was named in Chelsea’s Premier League squad.
Sevilla beat Wolves and Manchester United on their way to winning the Europa League last season but they were unable to find a way past a well-drilled Chelsea backline.
Chilwell also impressed going forward and it was his corner which set up a great chance for the unmarked Zouma before the former Leicester player was presented with a chance of his own but could not beat Bounou.
Fewest attempts at goal since 2015 – the stats
Chelsea recorded just six shots, their fewest attempts at goal in a Champions League game since February 2015 – against Paris Saint-Germain (2).
The Blues have drawn five of their past eight Champions League home matches, as many as in their previous 33 games in the competition at Stamford Bridge.
Sevilla are unbeaten in the first match of their last five Champions League campaigns (W2 D3).
Chelsea have won just one of their past 10 Champions League games against Spanish opposition (D6 L3).
Sevilla have failed to win any of their past five away games in the group stages of the Champions League (D4 L1).
What’s next?
Chelsea are back in action on Saturday when they meet Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League (17:30 BST).
Source: BBC
