The gateway that leads from Chelsea to Saudi Arabia is always full. After N’Golo Kanté and Kalidou Koulibaly, and while probably waiting for Hakim Ziyech, it’s Edouard Mendy’s turn to leave the Blues for the Saudi championship. The transfer of the Senegalese goalkeeper to Al-Ahli was formalized on Wednesday by the London club. The amount of the transaction is estimated between 16 and 17 million pounds, or just under 20 million euros. Mendy had joined Chelsea from Rennes in 2020 for 25 million euros.
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Les 11 infos mercato de mardi
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The meteoric trajectory of his career started late had taken on an exceptional dimension during his first year with the Blues. The former Reims goalkeeper (2016-2019) had chained remarkable performances, multiplied the “clean-sheets” and played a major role in the dazzling second half of the season for Thomas Tuchel’s training, punctuated by a victory in the League champions. He was thus named best goalkeeper of the 2020-21 season by UEFA, then best goalkeeper of the year at the FIFA The Best trophies in January 2022.
Edward Mendy
Credit: Getty Images
A golden salary
Mendy did not enjoy the same success thereafter. And things went seriously wrong for him during the past season, with several mistakes that caused him to lose his starting spot in goal for the Blues. After a year also hampered by a shoulder injury, Mendy had to settle for 12 appearances in all competitions with Chelsea. And the appointment as coach of Mauricio Pochettino, rather inclined to establish Kepa Arrizabalaga or to recruit another goalkeeper, was not likely to change the situation regarding the status of the 31-year-old doorman.
Under these conditions, Mendy had reason to end his career at Chelsea, which therefore lasted three years. The Senegalese seemed to have leads to stay in Europe, but he finally chose to let himself be seduced by the sirens of Saudi Arabia, with the key to a three-year contract and a salary of 11 million euros. bonus, according to information from Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. He is not the first to take this step. He probably won’t be the last either.
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