Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva took to Instagram last night to question why Edouard Mendy was left off the list of 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or.
The Senegalese international made a series of saves to keep a clean sheet against Brentford, helping to secure a crucial 1-0 win, and Silva, who was absent due to international duty, asked why his teammate isn’t being considered for player of the year:
“He won the Champions League as one of the best goalkeepers?? Left off the list for the Ballon d’Or?”
Mendy was outstanding at the Brentford Community Stadium and if the Blues do go on to win the Premier League this season, the 29-year-old would have played a key role in it happening.
In regards to the Ballon d’Or, it must be pointed out that only ONE goalkeeper (Gianluigi Donnarumma) made the shortlist. Mendy’s exclusion is very much down to journalists undervaluing the role of keepers in the modern game.
From a statistical point of view, in terms of winning points, keepers and strikers are the two most important positions, and Chelsea have got one of the very best in between the sticks.
