MANUEL NEUER lauded Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy as a ‘world class goalie’ after his stunning start to life at Stamford Bridge.
Mendy, 28, moved to West London from Rennes for £24million in the last window as Frank Lampard looked for an alternative to flop Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Manuel Neuer praised Chelsea keeper Edouard MendyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Mendy joined the Blues from Rennes and has had a brilliant start at Stamford BridgeCredit: AP:Associated Press
And the Senegal shot-stopper has had the dream beginning to his Blues career, registering NINE clean sheets in his first 12 games.
Mendy – who was signed on the recommendation of Chelsea exec and former Rennes keeper Petr Cech – boasts the best record in the Premier League.
And he tops the class in the Champions League – conceding just once back at old side Rennes in five group stage games – performing better than Europe’s best No1s including German ace Neuer.
Neuer told L’Equipe: “There are a lot of world class goalies right now.
“For example, Edouard Mendy, who moved from Rennes to Chelsea.
“He is a player that we only saw in Ligue 1, who joined a big club and who was immediately successful.
“It’s great to see that.
“Overall, I’m happy to see so many good goalkeepers because we’re a brotherhood.”
Incredibly, Mendy has enjoyed an identical start to the one Cech did in 2004 – both notching nine blanks in their first 12 appearances.
The similarities don’t stop there as in the same period both goalkeepers were beaten just three times.
Mendy’s five Prem clean sheets have helped Chelsea concede only 11 goals in as many league games – a significant turnaround after Lampard’s side finished last campaign with the worst defensive record in the top half.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk