Ex Sunshine Stars keeper Olumide Akinroyeje has come out to say that Edouard Mendy will remain Chelsea’s number one goalkeeper despite Kepa Arrizabalaga’s penalty heroics. He recently revealed that Kepa’s brilliance doesn’t automatically relegate Mendy to the bench.
According to him, he must commend Kepa for being brave enough to save the penalty kicks but he doesn’t see Edouard not playing anytime soon.
He added that since Mendy arrived from Rennes, he has brought nothing but consistency to Chelsea’s backline.
His words, “Kepa [Arrizabalaga] was brave to have saved two Villarreal penalties and that is not a pointer that he would stroll back as Chelsea’s first-choice.”
“As it stands [Edouard] Mendy remains the first choice at Stamford Bridge and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”
“Since his arrival from Rennes, he has brought consistency to the Chelsea backline line and played a key role in the team’s Champions League win. So, it would be irrational to have him not sit on the bench because someone saved two kicks.”
“What this means is that Mendy should work harder in training so that he can be counted on when it comes to penalty situations.”
On blaming Mendy for Villarreal’s goal, “No it’s not [complacency].”
“Things like that happen in football and as a goalkeeper, I experience that on numerous occasions.”
“I am glad he made amends to save that but I won’t say he was overconfident. It was just about the quality of the field.”
“Remember, that [Marcos] Alonso also slipped when taking his own penalty.”
“That being said, he must keep working hard so that there would not be any course to question his ability.”
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