London (AFP)
Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is expected to complete his transfer to Chelsea soon, where the performance of titular goalkeeper Kepa is worrying, London coach Frank Lampard confirmed on Tuesday.
"Mendy is getting his medical check-up while we speak, so if all goes well, he will soon be one of us," former Blues legend Frank Lampard told a press conference.
The transfer is expected to cost the Blues £ 20million (EUR 26m), which would bring the London club's spending to nearly £ 220million since the start of the summer.
The Blues have already signed Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr, hoping they can join in the title fight.
The arrival of Mendy, Senegalese international, should create a little competition with the Spaniard Kepa Arrizabalaga (25), titular goalkeeper recruited for 72 million pounds (80 M EUR, record for a goalkeeper) but author of mediocre performances, including a blunder Sunday in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.
"With the arrival of Mendy, there will be more competition, so every reaction will have to be positive from Kepa. Mendy as he arrives will do everything to play, we know," added the London coach.
"Everyone has in their hands, in the team, the opportunity to push, to train, to show the right attitude to be in the team," said Lampard, assuring that he had made "no final choice. "on the titular keeper.
The technician also confirmed that the technical director of the club, the former star goalkeeper Petr Cech, had influenced the arrival of Edouard Mendy.
Cech himself wore the Stade Rennes jersey from 2002 to 2004 before spending 11 seasons at Chelsea.
The London coach hopes that Mendy can escape quarantine on his arrival in England, and that he will therefore be available from Saturday against West Bromwich.
© 2020 AFP