It would be easy to forget just how much Edouard Mendy has achieved in the past 18 months. The Chelsea shot-stopper has fallen out of favour and has become a victim of people focusing on what he can't do rather than what he can.
The 30-year-old's form has dropped since winning the African Cup of Nations with Senegal in February and doubts over his future at Stamford Bridge have only increased after Graham Potter made Kepa Arrizabalaga his first choice keeper.
Potter, who prefers a ball-playing No.1, only used Mendy after Kepa injured himself against Brighton, and the Champions League winning keeper has only played in matches Chelsea have lost in the league since October.
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All of this comes at a time that the Blues had initially been hoping to hold contract talks. Since joining the club in 2020 Mendy has played in six cup finals, won the Champions League, AFCON and helped his national side reach the 2022 World Cup.
His rise, after being signed for just £22m, is one of the biggest transfer success stories Chelsea have had in recent years but things have turned this year. Mendy's confidence with the ball at his feet appears as low as it has ever been and looks even worse when compared to Kepa. He was already looking less assured at the back towards the end of Thomas Tuchel's tenure, and with Potter making his current position clear, questions have been raised as to where his long-term future lies.
There were reports over the summer that Chelsea had been looking for new options in goal, with Jordan Pickford being on their shortlist. Mendy's refusal to sign a new deal isn't of immediate worry, it expires in 2025, but it does demonstrate that things aren't as smooth going as they could be.
It's not unusual for contract negotiations to take time, see Mason Mount, but Mendy's bargaining position has diminished in recent months, and he has revealed that the focus for now is just on the World Cup. Senegal are seen as having a serious chance of making an upset throughout the tournament and Mendy will be a big part of that.
Speaking to Wettbasis, he said: “I am in Qatar primarily to represent my country and do everything I can to ensure that we have a successful tournament. We'll see what happens next with the Blues.
"The season is still very long. Recently I got a few games again. One thing is certain: I will continue to give it my all in the hope of getting more playing time again.”
Mendy was voted as Senegal football of the year in 2021 and has lifted three trophies in his time at SW6, but he also admitted that winning AFCON was a bigger achievement than lifting the Champions League. “Indeed, for me, even if you could certainly argue about that," he explained. "To be honest, the AFCON triumph gave me ten times more goosebumps than Porto in May 2021. That's a fact.
"Possibly the Covid situation also played a role because in the Champions League back then no fans were allowed and we weren't even allowed to party with our supporters in the streets of London."
The main part of Mendy's Chelsea success came under Tuchel, but like the rest of the side he fell from the highest perch and has had a torrid league season so far. Despite this, Mendy reflects well upon his time under the German. “I will always remember Thomas Tuchel very positively," he added.
"The time with the Blues was super awesome with him. He has always given the maximum for his players and strived for the maximum. He could identify 1000% with his task.
"He was always straight forward, honest and loyal to his players. I really enjoyed my time with him. He came with his own ideas, his own game philosophy and it immediately suited our squad. Just four months after succeeding Frank Lampard, Chelsea have won the Champions League. That was sensational.”
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