Among the set of impressive names coming to Qatar, Edouard Mendy is likely to have the best story leading up to the tournament. The 30-year-old is a professional soccer player who currently plays for Premier League club Chelsea. In this 2022 FIFA World Cup Player Spotlight: Edouard Mendy, we share the attributes that make him a must-watch goalkeeper in November.

2022 FIFA World Cup Player Spotlight: Edouard Mendy

+3
Big fight
Well done boys ???? pic.twitter.com/6kBvC5VEfx

— Edouard Mendy (@edou_mendy_) August 6, 2022

First-class figures

Mendy is one of the more physical goalkeepers in the Premier League. His style has been described as a dominant presence in the defensive third. In his only season with Rennes, Mendy logged a 75.3% save success rate, the highest in League 1, recording 2. Saves per game. In the same season, he also completed 51.4% of his passes north 40 yards. These numbers are enough to rival the best goalkeepers in the world today.

Another impressive trait of his is assertiveness. The 30-year-old can charge off his line quickly to intercept crosses. He is also very vocal on the pitch, organizing his defenders’ positioning–as a goalkeeper should be.

Significant accomplishments in a season

In just 12 months, Mendy became a Champions League winner and became the first African goalkeeper to achieve this feat. He became a Club World Cup champion and was recognized as The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper for 2021. On the international stage, he also lifted the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal teammate Sadio Mane who is a +5,000 top goalscorer favorite.

As +350 favorites to win Group A, Senegal has a shot at becoming a breakthrough team in the tournament. It encourages us to deliver this 2022 FIFA World Cup Player Spotlight: Edouard Mendy as well.

An underdog story

Born in Montivilliers, France, Mendy started his career jumping between lower-tier teams in the French league. After spending three years playing with Reims, he spent a season with Rennes before finding his way to Chelsea in 2020.

His time in Ligue 2 proved crucial for his growth. When Mendy joined Chelsea on a five-year contract in September 2020, he made sure to secure a place in the first team. Following a sequence of impressive performances, manager Thomas Tuchel eventually named him starting goalkeeper in favor of the most expensive goalkeeper in history Kepa Arrizabalaga.

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