Ben Chilwell: Edouard Mendy gives us confidence

Chilwell might have scored the only goal of the game against Brentford, but it was goalkeeper Mendy’s performance on Saturday that has been praised by many.

Edouard Mendy in a file photo; Credit: Twitter@ChelseaFC
By Karthik Raman | Oct 17, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Left-back Ben Chilwell has showered praise on Edouard Mendy after playing a crucial role in helping Chelsea beat Brentford. Chilwell might have scored the only goal of the game against Brentford, but it was goalkeeper Mendy’s performance on Saturday that has been praised by many. His stunning display between the posts helped maintain the lead given to the side by the left wing-back at the end of the first half. The crucial three points helped Chelsea sit at the top of the Premier League table after eight matches. 

Chilwell’s goal was his third in three games for Chelsea and England combined. His goal had given Thomas Tuchel’s side the lead, but it was action at the end of the second half when Mendy stood between Brentford and an equaliser that drew praises from several sections of fans and experts. “I’m happy to score a goal but I think we have got to thank Edou,” insisted Chilwell, according to the club’s website.

“I don’t know how many saves he made but there were a lot of very important saves and he does it every week for us. He bails us out, whether it’s once or twice, or in this game on several occasions. He’s a world-class goalkeeper and is the one we’ve got to thank.”

Chilwell on Mendy: Now he’s getting the credit he deserves

The English full-back also spoke about the importance of having a goalkeeper of Mendy in between the posts. “It just gives you confidence when you know you’ve got someone like that behind you that comes to collect the ball from crosses, is a brilliant shot-stopper and good with his feet,” he added.

“We see it every day in training but now he’s getting the credit he deserves and in these sorts of games where he makes big saves, he gets us the three points in the end.

Praising their opponents’ performance on Saturday, Chilwell said, “Brentford asked a lot of different questions. They like to play the ball forward quickly. They’ve got some players up front who are very good in the air and like to flip balls on, hold the ball up, bring other people into play, win second balls. It’s something we’re not used to playing against as much so it causes a few different problems, but in the end we’ve got the clean sheet.”

“It was very tough, their fans are behind them, they were growing in belief as the game went on, we were getting tired, but our mentality was there, we were putting our bodies on the line. In the first game after internationals, the performance isn’t anywhere near as important as a result, and we got the result.”

‘I’m happy to score’

The England full-back then spoke about his goal that ended up separating the two teams on the night. It was a crisp strike after the ball came back to him on the edge of the area.

“It’s one of those ones, as soon as it leaves your foot, you’re pretty sure that if it’s on target, it’s going to go in. I’m happy to score and help us get the three points, which after an international break is very important,” he added.





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