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Petr Cech explains disappointment for Chelsea star - 'It is a shame for him'
Chelsea can secure their place in the Champions League knockout stages with a win over Rennes tonight.
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Chelsea return to action tonight when they take on Rennes in the Champions League and Petr Cech feels one Blues star may be left disappointed. Frank Lampard's side currently top their group on goal difference having dropped just two points in three games.
They travel to France to face Rennes this evening with the chance of booking their place in the knockout stages with two games remaining.
Chelsea brushed Rennes aside in the reverse fixture earlier this month with goals from Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham.
More impressive though has been Chelsea's defensive record as they're yet to concede in the Champions League.
Edouard Mendy has been key to Chelsea's impressive displays of late.
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The 28-year-old made the switch from Rennes to Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window and has immediately established himself as the club's No 1.
Cech followed a similar path to Mendy in moving from the Ligue 1 club to Chelsea and making a fast impact in west London.
The 38-year-old, now a technical and performance advisor at Chelsea, was always well received by fans of former clubs during his playing days.
And he feels saddened by the fact that Mendy will not be given that chance when he faces off against his former team-mates in Rennes this evening.
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"I think it is a shame for him that he will not feel it straight in the stadium because of the global pandemic," Cech told Chelsea's official website.
"It would have been a spectacular return for him because although he only stayed there for a season, you could see how much he meant to the team and team-mates from the first game [between Chelsea and Rennes] when he walked off after the final whistle.
"It just shows how big a mark he left only having been there one year."
Mendy's impressive form in the Champions League has also carried over into the Premier League.
He's conceded just one goal in five league appearances, with Chelsea only dropping two points with the Senegal international between the sticks.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is back to full fitness now after picking up a small injury prior to the international break.
But the Spaniard looks set to leave Chelsea after losing his spot to Mendy.
Sevilla are being touted as the favourites for his signature while a return to Athletic Bilbao has also been mooted.