Edouard Mendy reached the pinnacle of world club football when he helped Chelsea to beat Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League final, but the 29-year-old goalkeeper’s journey to the top was an indirect one as he talks to UEFA.com ahead of the 2021 UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.
“I didn’t always want to be a goalkeeper, but I didn’t have much of a future further up the pitch. I was asked to go in goal, and everything happened naturally after that.” the Senegal and Chelsea number One revealed.
“I’ve experienced all the divisions in France, from the sixth tier to Ligue 1. In between, there was a period where I was unemployed for a year, age 22. Having never been professional, it’s difficult to then become a professional footballer, but I worked during that year, I worked twice as hard as the others.
I had luck on my side and that thankfully paid off. I had the chance to sign for Olympique de Marseille. And I just went up from there.” Mendy said.
On his move to Chelsea
“After the season cut short by COVID, Chelsea became interested in me, and despite having qualified for the Champions League with Rennes, it was something that I couldn’t refuse. It was the city where I wanted to live, it was the club where I wanted to play, the colours that I wanted to defend. Rennes understood. I joined Chelsea and it all went well for me.” the Champions League winner added.
