With the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations having come to a wrap on Sunday, players are slowly making their return to their clubs, with Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy rejoining Chelsea after a successful tournament.
The 29-year-old shot-stopper headed to Cameroon after enjoying a stellar debut season in England, guiding the Blues to the UEFA Champions League while picking up the Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season prize and winning The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award for 2021.
As a result, expectations were high for Mendy, and he delivered, with the Stamford Bridge sensation keeping a clean sheet in the final while saving a spot kick in the penalty shootout to help the Lions of Teranga lift their first Africa Cup of Nations title in history.
He was subsequently named the best goalkeeper of the campaign and was included in the Team of the Season. Having conquered the continent alongside the likes of Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly, Mendy received a hero's welcome upon returning to Chelsea, and understandably so.
The former Rennes custodian got a round of applause and hugs from his teammates, with Jorginho and Rudiger in particular giving him the warmest of embraces. In the short clip posted by the London giants, Jorginho attempts to force Mendy into giving a speech but the world-class keeper manages to wiggle his way out of that situation. Check it out in the video below.
A triumphant return! pic.twitter.com/keI67XZwd7
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 9, 2022
Thomas Tuchel's men are currently in the UAE for the FIFA Club World Cup, with the UEFA Champions League holders set to take on Al Hilal in the semifinals on Wednesday. Mendy is unlikely to feature in that fixture, having just joined up with the team, but should the Blues progress to the final, then the Senegalese star will have the golden opportunity of winning two prestigious trophies in the span of one week.
