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Chelsea boss Frank Lampard receives Edouard Mendy boost as Kepa Arrizabalaga view emerges
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard receives Edouard Mendy boost as Kepa Arrizabalaga view emerges.
Chelsea: Frank Lampard says he is ‘frustrated’ after Saints draw
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard could have Edouard Mendy available for tomorrow's Champions League group stage clash with Sevilla. The Blues are set to make a late decision on the fitness of their goalkeeper ahead of the match after being handed a welcome boost by the club's medical staff.
Mendy arrived at the club from Rennes for £22million at the end of September and was thrown straight into the side for the League Cup defeat at Tottenham.
He then helped Chelsea keep Crystal Palace at bay in the 4-0 win before the international break as he headed off to join up with Senegal.
Unfortunately for Lampard, Mendy picked up a thigh injury and was set for a spell on the sidelines.
However, according to The Telegraph, Mendy has made huge progress and could be available for Sevilla.
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The report adds that the 28-year-old will face a late fitness test before the encounter with the La Liga side.
He sat out of Chelsea's 3-3 draw with Southampton last weekend as Kepa Arrizabalaga returned.
The Spaniard used the international break with Spain to rebuild some of his confidence.
But that was soon damaged against the Saints, when he messed up to gift Che Adams an equaliser at Stamford Bridge.
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Chelsea threw away the lead on two occasions and had to share the points with Ralph Hasenhuttl's side.
After the game, Lampard made it clear that Kepa still has the full support of his team-mates and coaching staff.
"He has to be strong enough, that is what it is like in elite sport and goalkeepers have to deal with that," Lampard said.
"He will have the support of myself and his teammates. It's a shame, because he made some good saves."
Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has since taken aim at Kepa, claiming the world's most expensive goalkeeper will now be third choice behind Mendy and Willy Caballero.
He said on talkSPORT: “He’s gone from number one to number two goalkeeper, and after [the Southampton] performance he’s probably number three now.
“He won’t even make the bench now as [Willy] Caballero will be number two.
“I’m a bit surprised [Lampard] chose to play Kepa; he doesn’t fancy Kepa and it’s obvious.
“Caballero has done very little wrong, but because they’ve paid such a high fee for a player they need to justify playing him to give him an opportunity to perform.”