Football Today
·28 June 2023
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·28 June 2023
Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli have signed Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy on a three-year deal.
The 31-year-old has snubbed interest from AS Monaco and OGC Nice to become the latest player to leave Chelsea during the Premier League transfer window.
Mendy arrived at Chelsea in 2020 from Rennes for around £22 million and immediately replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga, who had conceded 54 goals in 38 Premier League games the previous season.
The Senegal international helped Chelsea win the Champions League in his first season.
The Blues also reached the final of the FA Cup and lost to Leicester City. Many people believed Mendy’s absence was one of the reasons for the defeat.
The following season they won the Super Cup and Club World Cup. Mendy went to the African Cup of Nations last year and won the title with Senegal.
However, his form began to drop after the tournament, and he made several high-profile mistakes. He has failed to bounce back from the slump.
Arrizabalaga has since regained the number-one spot, although Chelsea are in the market for a new keeper as they do not trust him.
Mendy will now move to Al-Ahli, who have just won promotion to the Saudi Pro League. Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is also on their radar.
Al-Ahli made an offer to Lukaku weeks ago, but he rejected their interest, hoping to move to Inter Milan. The Saudi club will return with a new proposal.
Chelsea have found joy in selling their unwanted stars to Saudi clubs this summer, and they look set to avoid Financial Fair Play (FFP) troubles.
Mendy, Hakim Ziyech and Kalidou Koulibaly have all moved to Saudi Arabia from Chelsea, and other players could follow.