The 31-year-old will be best remembered at Stamford Bridge for the key role he played on our run to Champions League glory in 2021. Mendy conceded just twice in seven knockout matches – and those goals were unstoppable volleys by Porto forward Mehdi Taremi and Karim Benzema of Real Madrid. 

The Senegal international registered nine Champions League clean sheets in 2020/21, a feat achieved by no other goalkeeper in their debut season in Europe’s elite club competition.

Those performances resulted in Mendy being named UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season, The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper, and helped him to second place in the voting for the Yashin Trophy, an award that recognises the game's top stoppers. He became only the second goalkeeper in Chelsea history to be shortlisted for that honour. 

Mendy’s second campaign at Stamford Bridge brought more success. We won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, the second of those coming just days after he had been the hero for Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final, saving the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shootout. 

Mendy kept 23 clean sheets for Chelsea during the 2021/22 season, including in both domestic finals. He also kept five consecutive shutouts in Champions League home fixtures, a first by a goalkeeper of an English club.

His 30th clean sheet for the Blues came in his 54th appearance. Only Petr Cech reached that figure in fewer matches.

Mendy’s minutes were limited last term, but he did pass the 100-game barrier. In total, he featured 105 times for Chelsea and 49 of those games ended with a clean sheet.

Having started his career in the lower tiers of French football – and even spending several months without a club – Mendy rose to the pinnacle of European football with Chelsea. A hugely likeable character on and off the pitch, he will always have a place in our history for his significant contributions to our 2021 Champions League triumph. 

For that, and for everything else, we are grateful. Good luck, Edou!