CHELSEA have opened contract talks with Edouard Mendy, according to reports.
But there is said to be significant distance between the two parties at this stage.
Mendy, 30, signed a five-year contract with Chelsea when he joined from Rennes in 2020.
However, he is one of the lowest earners at Stamford Bridge despite his importance to the team.
According to the Daily Mail, the goalkeeper was identified as one of the key players who should be prioritised for an improved deal by new owner Todd Boehly when he came in.
And the report says the club have now started those negotiations.
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Mendy is currently on around £52,000 per week, just about a third of the £150,000 his understudy Kepa Arrizabalaga earns.
Brazilian pair Alisson and Ederson pocket similar figures to Arrizabalaga while David De Gea is way ahead with a staggering record £375,000 per week at Manchester United.
Mendy has kept an impressive 49 clean sheets in 93 appearances for Chelsea, including in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Everton.
He also managed a record-equalling nine as the Blues won the 2020/21 Champions League.
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As well as his European success, Mendy has also won the Super Cup and Club World Cup with the Blues – and a runner-up medal from both the FA Cup and League Cup finals.
On the international stage, the shot-stopper helped Senegal to Africa Cup of Nations glory in February.
And he was rewarded for his stellar form by being named Uefa, Fifa and Champions League goalkeeper of the year – as well as the top stopper in the Afcon.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
