Frank Lampard has lauded Petr Cech for his role in the Blues' imminent signing of Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The 28-year-old Senegal international has had a medical at Stamford Bridge after the two clubs agreed a £22m fee, and Mendy looks set to challenge the out-of-form Kepa Arrizabalaga for the No.1 jersey.
Cech, who was Chelsea keeper for 11 seasons and is now their technical and performance advisor, had a big influence on the move, and speaking ahead of the Blues' Carabao Cup third round game against Barnsley on Wednesday Lampard explained what role he played.
“Petr was important in that because goalkeeper is a very particular position and Petr Cech obviously knows that role very well,” said Lampard.
“And Petr will obviously have a big say in this situation from my point of view, and I lean heavily on him. So he was very influential.”
Kepa made another big blunder in Chelsea's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, and there is a belief from many that Mendy will replace him as first choice in the near future.
But Lampard has urged the Spaniard to try to reach positively to the increased competition for his place.
“Football is always in your hands, in the current moment and going forward,” he added.
“So competition is important of course. We have brought Mendy in to bring that competition, we know it’s an area that Kepa himself wants to improve in his own performance.
“So it’s in everybody’s hands in the squad to push, to train, to have the right attitude, to try to compete to get in the team.
“So that remains the same, so I’m not making any final statements at all at the minute, football’s not like that.”
