Fresh summer arrival Edouard Mendy insists he has a ‘very good relationship’ with Kepa Arrizabalaga despite the pair battling it out to be the club’s No. 1.
Mendy was signed this summer to provide competition for Kepa and Willy Caballero after Frank Lampard identified the goalkeeping position as a major issue.
Kepa’s form left a lot to be desired last season.
The Spaniard – who was signed for a world-record fee – was dropped midway through the season by Lampard for Caballero after a string of disappointing displays and his error-ridden performances have returned this season, including another howler in the 3-3 draw with Southampton.
Mendy has only conceded one goal in his first three appearances between the sticks for his new club and looks set to establish himself as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper.
But despite edging in front of Kepa in the pecking order, he revealed there is a good atmosphere among the Chelsea ‘keepers.
‘I have a very good relationship with Kepa, the group of goalkeepers we have, we’re all very open and all of us understand the team is the most important thing here and doing what is right for the group,’ said Mendy.
‘Our relationships are all very good, we work well together and we’re pushing each other every day to improve ourselves and improve each other.
‘We know as goalkeepers we have to stay unified and united and that is what is happening at the moment.’
Mendy has followed in the footsteps of Petr Cech – the former Arsenal goalkeeper who has been registered to be part of Chelsea’s Premier League squad – by moving from Rennes to Stamford Bridge but he is keen to play down any comparisons between then.
‘To be at a club where such great goalkeepers have played is very important to me.
‘I am not going to put any pressure or compare myself to them because they are both legends here. They have played at a very, very high level for many years.
‘I have only just arrived here so my aim is to carry on progressing and make sure that I am there for the team and settle.
‘So that’s my objective right now and not to think about what Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini achieve here. They are legends and different to me.’
