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Chelsea confirm Edouard Mendy as Frank Lampard secures seventh summer signing
Edouard Mendy could be in line to make his Chelsea debut this weekend.
Chelsea: Lampard addresses Edouard Mendy transfer rumours
Chelsea have announced the signing of Edouard Mendy after agreeing terms on a £22million deal with Rennes. The goalkeeper becomes Chelsea's seventh signing of the summer, taking their spending close to £250m.
Frank Lampard has been desperate to bring in a new goalkeeper since midway through last season having lost faith in Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Spaniard was dropped on two separate occasions for veteran Willy Caballero, including the crucial final game of last season against Wolves and the FA Cup final.
Chelsea prioritised signings in defence and attack early on in the summer transfer window.
But after signing the players they wanted, Chelsea swiftly turned their attention to a new goalkeeper.
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A number of options had been touted as targets such as Andre Onana and Jan Oblak.
However, Chelsea soon fixated their interest on Rennes shot-stopper Mendy.
Negotiations went on for several weeks before a breakthrough was made and a fee agreed.
Chelsea technical and performance advisor Petr Cech took a similar path in leaving the French club during his playing days to join the Londoners.
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And the 38-year-old was said to have great influence on Chelsea choosing to go after Mendy.
Lampard said earlier this week: "Petr was important in that because goalkeeper is a very particular position.
"Petr Cech was the best in the world in that position for a long time so he's obviously had a big say in this situation.
"From my point of view, I lean heavily on him when it comes to goalkeeping today and in the future. So yes, he was very influential."
Mendy's arrival will raise further questions on Kepa's place as the first-choice goalkeeper.
Chelsea spent a record £72m on Kepa two years ago, but he's struggled to live up to that price tag ever since.
The 25-year-old made another costly error in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last weekend when he sloppily gave the ball away to Sadio Mane.
Chelsea are next in action on Saturday (5.30pm) when they take on West Brom.