Chelsea have finally announced the signing of Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy for a £22million fee.
And that means head coach Frank Lampad has a big decision to make ahead of Saturday's game against Premier League new boys West Bromwich Albion.
The Senegal international has put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge and becomes the Blues' seventh major signing of the summer transfer window, following on from the arrivals of Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz, and Timo Werner.
Mendy's arrival in west London ticks off another box on the Blues' summer overhaul list and more importantly he will offer some much-needed competition to Kepa Arrizabalaga.
After a mixed 2019/20 campaign, the Spaniard hasn't started the new season in the best fashion with his mistake in last weekend's 2-0 loss against Liverpool potentially ending his run in the Premier League side.
And despite not featuring for Rennes in Ligue 1 this term, Mendy insists he's ready to make his Chelsea debut.
"Yes, I'm fit. Even though I haven’t played a match for a while I've been training as usual with Rennes," he told the club's official website.
"I have played an in-house match too in training recently, so I'm feeling good."
Mendy is expected to be involved against the Baggies should he pass coronavirus testing protocols and has said he's ready to get to work.
"I am so excited to be joining Chelsea. It’s a dream for me to be a part of this exciting squad and to work with Frank Lampard and all of his coaching staff. I look forward to meeting my team-mates and can’t wait to get started."
Meanwhile, director Marina Granovskaia has outlined Petr Cech's, the technical adviser, key role in recruiting the keeper.
"As soon as Petr Cech and our technical team identified Edouard as the most suitable goalkeeper to complement our existing group, there was only one player we wanted to bring in," she said.
"Edouard arrives following a season of real success with Rennes, he is ambitious for more, and we welcome him to our club."
