Here is your Chelsea morning digest for Tuesday, November 3.
Cech reveals how long he spent monitoring Mendy
Petr Cech has revealed he spent three years watching Edouard Mendy before Chelsea signed the goalkeeper from Rennes this summer.
The Frenchman was brought in as a replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga, whose inconsistent performances often proved costly for the Blues last season.
Mendy has started well, keeping a clean sheet in each of his last five appearances. And Cech, now the club’s Technical and Performance Advisor, is not surprised.
“We had to make sure it was someone everyone agreed on, not just me,” Cech told Telefoot. “It had to be the club, and especially the manager, who had to be comfortable with the choice.
“We had a list of goalkeepers. We presented it all to Frank Lampard. We talked with the scouts. We shared information. We gave the pros and cons of each goalkeeper.
“In the end, my knowledge of Edouard for the past three years helped. I think he’s a goalkeeper who can still improve, with his work, professionalism, and desire to be better every day.
“I’m convinced he’ll improve more, and these aren’t the best performances you’ll see from Edouard Mendy.”
Chelsea target Alaba open to move
David Alaba is open to leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season after a contract offer from the Bundesliga champions was withdrawn.
The 28-year-old’s deal is set to expire next summer and he has been the subject of interest from Chelsea and Liverpool.
But according to Bild, Alaba has his sights set on a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City have all expressed an interest in signing the Austria international.
Chelsea were linked with Alaba in the summer as Lampard looked to bolster his defensive options.
Kovacic a surprise casualty of Chelsea’s busy transfer window
Despite being named Chelsea's 2019/20 Player of the Year, Mateo Kovacic is the surprising star who has found himself on the periphery this season.
The midfielder has struggled to establish himself in Lampard’s first-choice XI this term, starting just three games in all competitions.
Kovacic was left out again on Saturday as Chelsea impressed in a 3-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor.
A given the midfield trio of N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz proved effective, it could be that the Croatia international has a fight on his hands to get back into Lampard’s first-team plans.
