Chelsea goalkeeper Benjamin Mendy has been named UEFA Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year for his performances in the Champions League last season.
It’s been a remarkable twelve months for the 29-year-old, who was still playing for Rennes this time last year, but he was fully deserving of the prize, as many supporters on Twitter were keen to point out:
Well deserved
— Chukwu Emeka Skd (@skd_emeka) August 26, 2021
World’s best!
— TONY⭐⭐ (@TonyTho46671271) August 26, 2021
Can’t lie it’s a big steal ?
— Kai Havertz (@HouseofOzzy) August 26, 2021
Class player
— James (@_MUFCJames) August 26, 2021
What a life changing season for him ??
— jen (@flyme2tokio) August 26, 2021
One of our best bargains ever
— JR (@JRcentre) August 26, 2021
Amazing signing and so proud of him
— Elizabeth Helenek (@eli_helenek) August 26, 2021
Huge credit has to go to Petr Cech who recommended Mendy to Frank Lampard. The Senegalese international wasn’t particularly well known outside of France before he arrived at Stamford Bridge, but he was key to Chelsea’s triumph in the Champions League.
The key now will be to ensure Mendy keeps up his levels of consistency through a second full season. With Kepa Arrizabalaga keeping him honest as the club’s number two, the shot-stopper will not rest on his laurels.
Mendy wasn’t the only person from Chelsea to get an award. N’Golo Kante won the UEFA Midfielder of the Year, Thomas Tuchel was handed the Coach of the Year while Jorginho was rightly given the Player of the Year.
