Edouard Mendy injury update with Chelsea ‘optimistic’ about keeper being fit for Champions League final against Man City

THOMAS TUCHEL is hopeful Edouard Mendy will be fit for the Champions League final after a ‘huge improvement’ in his rib injury.

The goalkeeper, 29, was taken off at half-time after crashing against the post attempting to save Bertrand Traore’s opener in the the 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.

Kepa Arrizabalaga replaced Mendy and is on standby to face Manchester City in the Champions League final on Saturday – but Tuchel is optimistic his first-choice will recover in time.

The 47-year-old said: “For Edu, the update is that we still have hope that he joins training on Wednesday and he joins the group.

“We had a huge improvement in the management of the pain.

“We need a further update on Wednesday, but we hope to have him back in training on Wednesday.

“Edu will play if he is fit and if he is not fit on Wednesday we will try on Thursday.

“And we will try on Friday and take the responsibility for this decision.

“At the same time, we have trust if he cannot make it. We have a strong guy on the bench with Kepa.

“Now the race is on. We are very happy first of all that the images don’t show that the injury is too serious.

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

“We are positive but every hour counts and hopefully the team around Edu and he himself can do enough. It will be a good boost for us.”

Mendy has featured 43 times for Chelsea since his move from Rennes in September.

He kept 16 clean sheets in the Premier League, second only to Manchester City keeper Ederson.

Both Tuchel and predecessor Frank Lampard have favoured the Senegal shot-stopper over Kepa, following a series of errors from the club record signing.

⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk